A Keys resident has died of suspected bacterial meningitis, health department says
A Florida Keys resident suspected of having meningococcal disease — or bacterial meningitis — died on Friday, according to the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County.
Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial form of meningitis, which is a serious infection of the thin lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, according to the World Health Organization.
Health department spokeswoman Alison Kerr said she could not identify the dead person due to patient privacy rights, but said there is no public health threat from the case.
A source familiar with the case said the patient who died was a 2-year-old boy who attended a child-care center on the Navy’s Sigsbee Park Annex, a military base in Key West.
“Epidemiologic investigation of the case indicates there is no risk to the general public,” Kerr said in a statement Monday.
A child who had been diagnosed with the disease had attended the Childcare Development Center on Sigsbee, according to Naval Air Station Key West spokeswoman Trice Denny.
But Denny said she could not confirm whether the child died from the disease.
The center caters to children from 6 weeks to 5 years old.
The childcare center was closed Monday so it can be thoroughly disinfected by an outside agency, Denny told military families in a prepared message.
“When reopened, all patrons will be required to show proof of child medical clearance to use the CDC,” Denny wrote in the post, which someone screenshot and posted Monday on the Florida Keys Coming Back to Life page on Facebook.
Anyone concerned about potential exposure to the disease should contact a medical provider, Denny said.
The illness is caused by the bacteria, Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus.
Meningococcus is spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions like spit by close and prolonged person-to-person contact, such as sneezing, kissing, living in close quarters and coughing on someone.
Kerr said the health department worked with the Lower Keys Medical Center, the Naval Branch Health Clinic Key West and Naval Air Station Key West, following health protocols such as contacting people who were in close contact with the patient and providing antibiotics to them.
“Keeping up to date with recommended immunizations is the best defense against meningococcal disease,” Kerr said.“Maintaining healthy habits, like getting plenty of rest and not coming into close contact with people who are sick, can also help.”
This story was originally published March 9, 2020 at 2:47 PM with the headline "A Keys resident has died of suspected bacterial meningitis, health department says."
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