Health officials seek answers in deaths of five local children

The Virginian Pilot ^ | 02/21/03 | Steve Stone

[pgkdan]

Health officials seek answers in deaths of five local children
By STEVE STONE, The Virginian-Pilot
© February 21, 2003
Last updated 8:58 PM Feb. 20

The Virginia Department of Health is working with local health officials to see if there is any common cause in the deaths of five children that have occurred in as many days.

Four of the children died in Hampton Roads, one in Richmond. All of the children were 7 or younger and all suffered from upper respiratory infections.

``We are concerned about the recent deaths of these children, and we are rapidly investigating to determine the cause,'' said State Health Commissioner Robert B. Stroube.

Little information was released about the children. Of the four from Hampton Roads, two lived in Virginia Beach. The other two are military dependents and their hometowns were not released.

The review of the deaths is being handled by the Health Department's medical examiner's office in cooperation with physicians and epidemiologists from the state, Hampton Roads and Richmond.

The Health Department said the investigation has added urgency given that the nation is on a heightened state of alert. Because of that, the department is monitoring even more closely any situation in which there appears to be a pattern of illnesses or deaths.

Stroube stressed, however, that preliminary findings already suggest that it is ``unlikely'' that the children's deaths are related to bio-terrorism.

As is routine in such circumstances, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta have been advised, Stroube said.

[pgkdan]

We had a little 5 year old girl die here in Virginia Beach today with flu-like symptoms. Has anyone else heard of a similar situation elsewhere in the country? As near as I can tell, this is a first for us. Maybe it's not unusual for a child to die during flu season...but 5 in 4 days?

Just two weeks ago 2 local schools were closed because more than 25% of the rosters called in sick.

[abner]

Just two weeks ago 2 local schools were closed because more than 25% of the rosters called in sick.

We had a similar situation here in Pa last week. No one died though as far as I know.

[nevergore]

My kid's school in Cumming, GA almost closed for a couple of day's last week due to the large number of student and teacher absences. The primary symptons were a mild cough and general flu like symtoms....
This was a very mild virus but spread like wildfire.....
NeverGore

[Woodstock]

The flue is bad when it digs into an area. It made headlines in the county paper here in Maryland at Chrisistmas and there was not a single person untouched in my big family -- none near death. I can say that my son's classes at school continue to have about 65% the number of students (on average) since Christmas. We were just talking about it today because it is strange.

[mykdsmom]

Stroube stressed, however, that preliminary findings already suggest that it is ``unlikely'' that the children's deaths are related to bio-terrorism

The usual disclaimer.

I haven't heard of this, very sad. We've had a TON of flu here too, they have sent several notes home about not sending sick kids to school. No deaths that I've heard of though.

MKM

[TXBubba]

Stroube stressed, however, that preliminary findings already suggest that it is ``unlikely'' that the children's deaths are related to bio-terrorism

I pray these deaths aren't related. But wasn't the sniper in Maryland unlikely to be a black Muslim? Sorry, but as a parent of young children I hope they give some better info. soon.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

There's a wierd virus definitely going around in the schools here (Chicagoland). It actually starts with a headache and fatigue, and then progresses to the sinuses, etc. I was able to combat it with my kids by giving them Zinc. That's right - plain ol' zinc. $3 a bottlet at the pharmacy, in the vitamin shelves. It'll kill viruses but the docs and pharmaceutical industry doesn't want to admit (and lose revenue) over the concept that zinc is a cheap and very effective remedy against the common cold and flu symptoms, especially if caught in the early stages.

[Woodstock]

The usual disclaimer.

My thought exactly, but I did not say it because of today's climate of fear. I agree though. Why would someone say this in the middle of winter when people are sick most frequently?

[beaversmom]

We've had it here in Colorado. My oldest son was the first to get it then we all caught it including my parents and brother. Luckily, it was over the MLK weekend/Monday off so my son had a few days to recover. When he went back to school, 12 of the 27 students in his class were absent. I don't guess it was the worst flu I've ever had, but it lingered for several days--not a 24 hour bug at all.

[Woodstock]

Buying zink tomorrow. The throat candy with zink just does not work.

[mykdsmom]

It seems like no matter what happens they always issue "The Usual Disclaimer" in a matter of minutes.

MKM

[pgkdan]

Sorry, but as a parent of young children I hope they give some better info. soon.

Me too. I just watched this story on the local news and they had extensive coverage of the death of the little girl last night. It was heart breaking. I'll be watching this one very closely.

BTW the state medical examiner was interviewed on the news this evening and he looked absolutely scared stiff. It may be that he's just uncomfortable being on TV. I hate to jump to conclusions but this is pretty scary.

[Woodstock]

Right! Much longer illness. Did not quite want to shoot myself like the 24 hour bug. I even had a flue shot three weeks prior to X-mas. Family of five was still down for the count. Like you, we were thankful for the holiday.

[beaversmom]

After I got the flu in the middle of January, I got a cold the following Friday and another cold the Friday after. Now we are all sick again with something. My son's started out as a headache and sore throat this morning--probably another cold. I kept giving him Tylenol throughout the day because he kept complaining of a headache. My mom's got it really bad right now. Hers started out with a really bad headache too.

[pgkdan]

It seems like no matter what happens they always issue "The Usual Disclaimer" in a matter of minutes

it's become a standard government reflex. I'm not saying that this is anything Bio-terror related...but it's a little early to rule it out, it seems to me.

[Woodstock]

Ya, know, come to think of it. I know two adaults in PA that were very recently hospitalized with what we thought was food poisoning. In each case the doctor said it was a flu-type thing. Not something you want a young-one to have. We all had "the rejection" from both ends and were very sick for 48 hours.

[Lion's Cub]

I saw this on the local news tonight.

There was a similar case out west last year--I believe it was 2 teens in the same family. They died of some form of atypical pneumonia--and they couldn't find answers on autopsy. I thought of that case as soon as I heard about this. Maybe someone else has the link.

[TXBubba]

I was blaming my headache, sinus problems and such on allergies (this is actually allergy season here in Austin) but now you guys have me thinking I had a touch of something else.

BTW...Hi friend. We are floating away here. Sorry I can't send some of it your way. Over 3 inches today and more moving in.

[Woodstock]

he kept complaining of a headache.

Ya'll are scaring me. I have two kiddos who had this last week....constant headache. This is a current problem and follows that flu-thing we had. o real fever, just feeling sick and a headache.

[beaversmom]

Hello there buddy. We haven't run into each other on a thread since we met on here, have we? What are you doing up so late? I wish you could move some moisture our way. Nothing yet and I even washed my car at the car wash the other day--that used to do the trick but not anymore.