JACKSON, Wyo. — A serious illness caused by bacteria known as neisseria meningitidis, or meningococcal disease, was recently diagnosed in a student from Jackson Hole Community School (JHCS), the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) stated in a letter on April 10.
The notice from WDH addressed parents and guardians of JHCS students directly. The notice states the date of exposure as April 8, though it doesn’t mention specific details around exposure within the school. A statement issued by JHCS on Friday, April 12, notes that the student was diagnosed upon returning from a two-week spring break trip, suggesting the incubation period occurred while the student was abroad.
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).”
“Please be vigilant for any possible symptoms, particularly during the next two weeks,” the notice states. Parents are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider and mention the WHD notice should they observe the stated symptoms, or any other symptoms of a severe illness.
JHCS Head of School Ted Smith spoke with Buckrail about the situation on Friday morning.
“The school’s number one concern is this student and their family,” Smith said. “We have been in contact with the family, and the student is receiving appropriate hospital care. As a school community, we respect the family’s privacy, and we are are sending them strength and love. We are cautiously optimistic.”
Smith and JHCS Director of Institutional Growth Julie Alexander told Buckrail that the school has reviewed their protocol with the Department of Health on a daily basis. The WDH shared medical data that has assured the school that the meningitidis bacteria is not transmissible on surfaces, and that it can only spread through bodily fluids like saliva.
The WDH has also assisted the school in identifying if any other community members could be potentially at risk, and has guided the school to continue its standard cleaning procedure. The WDH communicated with Alexander that the students are completely safe on campus and school is to continue to run as normal.
“We don’t need to wear masks,” Alexander said. “There are no students at risk, there are no students who need to take a course of antibiotics. The WDH has helped us a lot, given us information that we’ve been able to share with the community.”
The JHCS will continue to monitor its students closely. This morning the school held a gathering for the student community to express and share concerns.
“It’s hard to conduct business as usual when something like this happens to a community as tight as ours is, every kid knows every kid here,” Smith said.
A contact number for the Wyoming Department of Health Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit is listed for questions or concerns regarding the notice at 1-877-996-9000.
This is a developing story. Buckrail will provide updates as more information becomes available.
