JACKSON, Wyo. — On Thursday, April 19, the Jackson Hole Community School (JHCS) reported to Buckrail that a student who contracted the serious illness caused by bacteria known as neisseria meningitidis, or meningococcal disease, is currently recovering at home.
“The family has notified the school that the student has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home,” Head of JHCS School Ted Smith told Buckrail. “No further cases were identified. JHCS continues to respect the family’s privacy during this time, and we are grateful that the student is recovering.”
On April 10, the notice from the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) addressed parents and guardians of the JHCS, and stated that the date of exposure as April 8. The WDH letter noted that the student was diagnosed upon returning from a two-week spring break trip, suggesting the incubation period occurred while the student was abroad.
WDH has guided the school to continue its standard cleaning procedure, and to continue to run as normal.
“The Department of Health does not currently have any concern for our school community members being at risk of becoming ill,” Smith told Buckrail. “We have communicated with our students, families and staff, and we continue to take all necessary precautions for our community’s safety.”
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can result in meningitis, or other severe illnesses, according to the WHD. Symptoms might include fever, rash, increased tiredness, irritability, headache, loss of appetite or vomiting. WDH details in the April 10 notice that infection transmission can occur from one person to another “through contact with the respiratory secretions of an infected person (such as saliva, nasal or through material).”
For questions or concerns about the illness, contact the Wyoming Department of Health Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit at 1-877-996-9000.
