subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sat, May 17 2008 
Letters to the Editor | School & Senior Citizen Menus |

Published: April 12, 2008 01:43 am    print this story   email this story   comment on this story  

Paoli woman dies from meningitis

By Jeff Shultz
Managing Editor

Garvin County Health Department officials confirmed Thursday the grandmother of a 12-year old Paoli girl who died from meningitis last week is the second victim of the disease in as many weeks.

Darlene Campbell, 75, of Paoli died April 7, just three days after her grand-daughter, Alyssa Nichole Campbell, succumbed to meningitis.

At first county health officials were told the elderly Campbell’s death was not due to meningitis.

“When we interviewed family members of the youth to identify and recommend antibiotics to protect those who had close, personal contact with the youth, this particular individual was not identified as someone who had close contact with her,” said Joleyne Temple, District Nurse Manager of the Garvin County Health Department.

Temple told the Daily Democrat Thursday that two independent hospitals had tested Darlene Campbell for meningitis and the tests had come back negative.

“Based on those tests and the fact she was not identified as a family member who had close contact with her grand-daughter, we had no reason to believe her death was due to meningitis,” Temple said.

However, the state department of health requested further tests by the Centers for Disease Control.

“When the CDC tests came back, they confirmed that Mrs. Campbell’s death was in fact due to meningitis,” Temple said.

Campbell is the third person in the state to die from meningococcal disease this year and the seventh reported case of the disease.

“Our sympathies go out to this family who are dealing with these unexpected deaths,” Temple said.

Despite the fact two people from the small Garvin County town have died from the disease, Temple stressed there is still no public health risk.

“The Garvin County Health Department has concluded its active investigation of contacts and we believe any individuals at risk have already received antibiotics as a preventive measure,” she said.

“Casual contacts, such as students in a school classroom, or co-workers at a workplace, or church are not at increased risk of getting the disease and therefore do not need treatment with antibiotics. Persons who were never in contact with the persons that were diagnosed with meningococcal disease are not at risk.”

Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. Many healthy people carry meningococcal bacteria in their nose and throat without any symptoms.

Usually, the bacteria stay in the nose and throat for a few days and will then disappear. The bacteria are spread from person-to-person by direct contact with secretions from the nose and throat.

It is not clearly understood why the organism disappears in some people and produces illness in others.

For more information on meningococcal disease, contact the Garvin County Health Department at (405) 238-7346, or the Epidemiologist-on-call at the Oklahoma State Department of Health Acute Disease Service at (405) 271-4060.

print this story   email this story   comment on this story  

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.

monster
wheels
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

Full time Nurse's Assistant
Full time Nurse’s Assistant needed at Lindsay
Municipal Hospital. Night shift. LMH offers
competitive salary...>MORE

Lindsa Municipal Hospital
Full Time Housekeeper needed at Lindsay
Municipal Hospital. LMH offers competitive salary and benefits. Please mak...>MORE

Tellers Needed
Tellers Needed
IBC bank is looking for friendly and outgoing
people who like to work
with the public to ...>MORE

The City of Pauls Valley
The City of Pauls Valley is accepting applications for two- part-time positions in the Pro Shop at the Golf Course. The ...>MORE

The Town of Paoli
Immediate opening for Maintenance employee for the town of Paoli, Ok.
Individual must have a
current Oklahoma...>MORE

Town of Maysville
The Town of Maysville is taking applications for full time
police officer, Cleet Certified preferred. Apply at
...>MORE

The Pauls Valley General Hospital
The Pauls Valley General Hospital’s Respiratory Therapy Department has an opening for an LPN who has an interest in Resp...>MORE

Purcell Municipal Hospital
PURCELL MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL
LRCP
Fulltime position with
varied days & varied shift. Licensed Respiratory ...>MORE

Mid America Vo-Tech
Adult Education Registrar:
Mid-America Technology Center is accepting
applications for an Adult Education Regi...>MORE

Town of Maysville
The Town of Maysville is taking applications for swimming
pool manager & lifeguards. Must be Red Cross Certified....>MORE

See all ads
Premium Autos

••SELL YOUR CAR HERE••
Sell your car here. Call Wendy or Christie at 405-238-6464 for more information...>MORE

See all ads
Premium Homes

Got Land?
Got Land? Have Family land? 9 homes available for
special financing program. 0 down, $136.90 every 2
weeks mo...>MORE

Special Govt program zero down
if own land or use family land.
Bad credit ok. We own the Bank.
$1000 furniture package w/new home
purcha...>MORE

**SELL YOUR HOME HERE**
Sell your home here in our Premium Homes Section. Call Wendy at 238-6464 for more information....>MORE

Free 52" Big screen
FREE 52" Big Screen TV thru June
when you pay ZERO down with land for
your new home. EZ qualify by phone.
...>MORE

Oak Creek Modular Homes
Full Service Builder, finest quality, stem walls
garages, decks, etc.
Will Custom Build-Call for Details
...>MORE

Don't CRY if you have bad credit!
You can still get a new home! Zero down with land or
use family land. Site built quality homes. Beautiful doubles...>MORE

Oak Creek Modular Homes
OAK CREEK MODULAR HOMES
full service Builder, finest quality, stem walls
Garages, decks, etc.
Go to www.o...>MORE

GOT LAND?
GOT LAND? Or have family land? You're Approved 0
down! Singles, doubles, modulars. Free washer & dryer
thru Ma...>MORE

No Down Payment!
No Down Payment!
No Cash needed!
Just make payments!
Free Flat screen TV!
You are approved if you ow...>MORE

Oak Creek Modular Homes
Full service builder, finest quality, stem walls, garages, decks,
etc. Go to www.oakcreekhomes.com/okcity or call...>MORE

See all ads

© 2005, Pauls Valley Daily Democrat
108 S. Willow, Pauls Valley, OK 73075
Phone: (405) 238-6464
Popular Business directory links - Pauls Valley Apartments |  Pauls Valley Attorneys |  Pauls Valley Auto Dealers |  Pauls Valley Auto Parts |  Pauls Valley Auto Repair |  Pauls Valley Beauty Salons |  Pauls Valley Car Rental |  Pauls Valley Dentists |  Pauls Valley Doctors |  Pauls Valley Flowers |  Pauls Valley Hotels |  Pauls Valley Insurance |  Pauls Valley Loans |  Pauls Valley Mortgages |  Pauls Valley Movers |  Pauls Valley Pizza |  Pauls Valley Realtors |  Pauls Valley Restaurants |  Pauls Valley Storage |  Pauls Valley Tax Preparation |  Pauls Valley Travel |  Pauls Valley Featured |  More...

 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

rc