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Oologah.net contains excerpts of news stories from the Oologah Lake Leader and breaking news bulletins. For the complete stories from this week's Leader, check our news stands.
IMMUNIZATION CLINIC SET FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AT OLE GYM
The Rogers County Health Department will sponsor a meningitis immunization clinic Friday and Saturday for eligible Oologah-Talala School students and staff at the Oologah-Talala Lower Elementary School Gymnasium. Health officials will be available to answer questions from parents.
Those recommended for the Menactra vaccine, which protects against meningitis, will receive it at no charge. The recommendation for the school clinic covers all current Oologah-Talala students from pre-K to seniors, and all district faculty and employees.
"The vaccine costs over $100 per dose, so this is a real savings to the people," said Mary Beth Murray, administrator of the Rogers County Health Department.
Clinic hours will be noon to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Those who are recommended to receive the vaccine but who will be out of town on the days of the clinic may receive their vaccinations at the Health Department, 2644 N. Highway 88, Claremore.
Rogers County residents ages 11-18 also will be eligible for free vaccinations, but need to make an appointment at the Rogers County Health Department for the injection. The Health Department phone number is 341-3166.
Update Wednesday, March 17, 5:30 pm from the Oklahoma State Department of Health
PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS WORKING TO STOP SPREAD OF MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE IN OOLOGAH-TALALA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Officials available to answer questions at clinic on Friday and Saturday
Officials from the Rogers County Health Department and Oklahoma State Department of Health announced today that they believe measures are in place to stop the spread of meningococcal disease in the Oologah-Talala public schools.
Preventative antibiotics, the first step in providing protection and stopping the immediate spread of meningococcal bacteria, have been provided to more than 1,000 students and others in the community. To protect persons from future exposures to the disease, two special vaccination clinics are scheduled for this Friday, March 19, from noon to 7 p.m., and Saturday, March 20, from 9 a.m. till 2 p.m. at the Oologah-Talala Lower Elementary School.
In addition to the vaccine clinics, representatives from the Oklahoma State Department of Health and local health department staff will be on hand in the Upper Elementary Gymnasium to answer questions from the public and provide information materials on meningococcal disease.
State and local public health officials have investigated seven cases of meningococcal disease among students in the Oologah-Talala schools. Two children have died from the disease. Those persons who have had close, personal contact to these cases and were determined to have an increased risk of developing the disease have been contacted and recommended preventative antibiotics. Less than one percent of persons exposed to the bacteria develop symptoms. Although the general public is not at risk, they should be mindful of the importance of not sharing drinking glasses, water bottles, eating utensils, tissues, and lip gloss or lipsticks, in order to minimize the spread of disease.
Symptoms of meningococcal disease may appear two to ten days after infection, but usually appear within three to four days. People ill with meningococcal septicemia may have fever, nausea, vomiting, and a rash. People that are ill with meningitis will have fever, intense headache, nausea, vomiting, and a stiff neck. It is important to seek care from a physician as soon as possible if these symptoms appear. If parents are unsure, they should still seek medical attention to protect their children.
While a meningococcal vaccine is available for protection against four of the five disease-causing strains of meningococcal disease for persons ages 2 through 55 years of age, it is routinely recommended by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices as only for children and adolescents 11 through 18 years of age. Children and adolescents in that age group can get the vaccine through the Vaccines for Children Program, a federally-funded state-operated program that provides vaccines at no cost to health care providers and county health departments to administer to eligible children. To find a clinic or doctor near you that participates in the program, call your county health department.
For more information on meningococcal disease, visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health Web site at
www.health.ok.gov and http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/about/faq.html.
TOWN IN TEARS
TWO STUDENTS DIE IN MENINGITIS OUTBREAK AT OOLOGAH TALALA SCHOOLS
By CHRIS EDENS, City Editor
First it was disbelief, fear and panic. Then shock. Now, it's grief and tears.
Oologah has been rocked by the tragic deaths of two children last Thursday (March 11) from bacterial meningitis. Four other children from the lower elementary and one high school student remain hospitalized as they fight the deadly disease.
Oologah Lower Elementary students Andrew Thomas, 7 and Shuache Moua, 8, both second graders, died in a Tulsa hospital after contracting meningitis.
Jeremiah Mitchell, 6, is in critical condition. He is a kindergartner.
Second grader Skylar Whisenhunt is in the hospital.
The names of the other two lower elementary students, believed to be second grade boys, have not been released.
A high school senior, Karisa Pales, was diagnosed with the disease Monday.
Thomas was sent home from school on Wednesday with flu-like symptoms. When his condition quickly became more severe, his parents took him to the hospital that night. Less than 24 hours later, the disease had taken his life. The funeral service for Thomas was held Monday.
Moua's memorial service will be held this weekend. Moua's father, Koua Moua, said his daughter came home sick from school Wednesday afternoon. He said she was complaining of a headache and that her foot hurt.
Her mother took her to St. John's Hospital in Owasso early Thursday morning and she was taken by Life Flight to St. Francis in Tulsa where she died later that day.
Moua said his daughter wanted to study dance and now she won't get that chance.
"She was a very special daughter. She liked to laugh and play," Moua said.
School officials were notified Thursday morning about the meningitis cases by health authorities. Medical teams from the state and county health departments were mobilized and sent to the school.
The lower elementary gym was set up to administer treatment for the students. Anxious parents who came to the school were asked to take their children to the gym as the school waited for the state health department team to arrive.
The team arrived at approximately 12:30 p.m. and nurses began giving injections of the antibiotic Rocephin. Lines snaked around the gym as students waited nervously to receive treatment.
As word spread, television satellite trucks descended on the school campus. A press conference was held in the administration building Thursday afternoon.
Superintendent Rick Thomas, Dr. Sam Stauffer and Rogers County Health Department Administrator Mary Beth Murray made statements and answered questions.
The treatment center in the gym was in place again on Friday. Over 800 people received antibiotics during the two day period.
Classes were canceled on Friday and all school activities were suspended until after spring break.
State epidemiologist Dr. Kristen Bradley said the school had an excellent response to the outbreak of meningitis.
"I was so impressed with how quickly they set up the clinic for us," Dr. Bradley said. "They've just been wonderful in helping us identify students who might be at risk. We couldn't have asked for a better partner. They've done everything they can do."
Jeremiah Mitchell's grandmother, Carolyn Mitchell said Jeremiah was sent home from school sick on Wednesday. Later that night he was running a fever and bruises started appearing on his body. Mitchell said Jeremiah is in a medically induced coma on life support. She said it appears he has stabilized and he's taking baby steps in the right direction. She said doctors have warned the family he may lose limbs because of the disease or need skin grafts.
Pales was taken to Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Thursday with flu like symptoms. Pales' father said she had a high fever and was vomiting up a black substance. Initial tests came back negative for meningitis, but an alert doctor at Bailey Medical Center recommended she remain hospitalized and continue receiving treatment for the disease. She was transported to St. Francis.
A culture test came back positive for meningitis on Monday.
After the new case at the high school was confirmed Monday, the county health department set up another clinic at their office in Claremore. Approximately 100 people were treated by late afternoon Tuesday.
For a timeline of the crisis, see this week's Oologah Lake Leader.
SCHOOL SAFE FOR STUDENTS' RETURN
By CHRIS EDENS, City Editor
Health officials say parents shouldn't fear sending their children back to Oologah schools after an outbreak of meningitis. The school is taking extra precautions.
State epidemiologist Dr. Kristen Bradley said the disease is only spread through direct contact with someone who is infected.
"It doesn't survive for any appreciable time in the air or on surfaces. It doesn't survive in the environment," Dr. Bradley said.
She said the general public is not at risk. Dr. Bradley said it is unknown how the outbreak started and the bacteria are commonly present in people with no symptoms.
The clinics that have been set up to administer antibiotics should have stopped the spread of the disease.
"I understand why parents have some trepidation," Dr. Bradley said. "We came in aggressively with antibiotics and it should have been very effective in disturbing the transmission of the bacteria. People can be comfortable coming back to school and resuming normal activities."
There are three different types of bacterial meningitis. Dr. Bradley said health officials confirmed this weekend that the strain affecting Oologah students is type C.
The school is taking extra steps to ensure that parents and students feel safe returning to campus.
PCC Restoration came to the Oologah Lower Elementary Monday morning and placed HEPA air filtering units all over the building and the gym. The units will be removed Wednesday.
On Thursday (today, March 18), TRC Disaster Solutions plans on coming to the school to apply a disinfectant spray in the buildings and on buses where the affected children rode. Both companies are offering their services at no charge.
Superintendent Rick Thomas said the cleaning measures are being taken as an extra precaution while school is out for spring break.
BLANSKI DESIGNS CARS FOR AMERICAN IDOLS
Dillon Blanski, a 2002 Oologah graduate, is doing big things at Ford.
His designs are featured on the 2010 pace car for the Daytona 500 and on vehicles for the American Idol winners.
He was to be included in the Ford spotlight on American Idol on Wednesday, March 17. Dillon was one of four designers chosen to work on a project for American Idol sponsored by Ford.
The designers made two trips to Hollywood to meet with the top 20 American Idol contestants. Blanski was assigned to create personalized graphics for some of the young music artists. Designs will be laid out on the Ford Fiesta expressing the personalities of each of the top 12 contestants.
Blanski was filmed working with the contestants on March 5. Blanski worked with Idols Lee, Casey, Aaron and Paige.
The top two American Idol contestants will be given their personalized cars as part of their prize packages.
Dillon, who loves cars and drawing, attended The College of Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan for a degree in transportation design.
Ford snatched him up after his graduation for its design team. He and his wife Jennifer Nuse Blanski (a graduate of Claremore High School) now live and work in the Detroit area.
Early this year Dillon designed the graphics to be placed on the 2010 pace car for the Daytona 500, sponsored by Ford.
4-WHEELER STOLEN FROM NEW MOWER SHOP
Oologah police are investigating the theft of an $8,999 four-wheeler Saturday night from Pa's Mower Shop, located at old Highway 88 and US 169. Owner Joe Smith said the Bad Boy ATV is bright orange.
The thief entered the property from the east side, off old 88, by cutting the chain that holds the gate closed. Anyone with information on the theft or the current location of the ATV is asked to call Oologah police at 443-2722.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Any thoughts on the community response to the meningitis outbreak?
E-mail your response to oologahspeaks@sbcglobal.net.
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