Health Minister Dr Terrence Deyalsingh says he has received the test results for one of the children who died from suspected meningitis but will not disclose it until the parents are informed.
Meanwhile, fearful that a student had fallen ill with a suspected case of meningitis, classes were dismissed at the San Fernando East Secondary School yesterday morning. However, the South West Regional Health Authority subsequently issued a release saying there were no cases of suspected meningitis warded at the San Fernando General Hospital.
“The authority continues to be on heightened alert and surveillance for any possible incidence of suspected meningitis, and in collaboration with the Office of the County Medical Officer of Health for County Victoria is taking every precaution in ensuring that all relevant clinical and public health measures are taken. All SWRHA facilities remain fully prepared to handle any further presence of the disease in the South-West Region.
“The Form Two student fell ill in school on Wednesday and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Yesterday, however, the child’s parent called the school and informed them that his daughter was suspected to have meningitis.
“As a result, the Education Ministry was informed and the necessary protocols were observed. The school was dismissed and steps were taken to have the school sanitised. A ministry official, however, said checks revealed that no child from that school was being treated for symptoms of meningitis.”
The T&T Guardian was informed that several students were taken by their parents to the hospital as a precaution.
Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) president Lynsley Doodhai said his information was that officials from the public health department visited the school. They recommended that the sick bay, the child’s classroom and the staff room be sanitised, he said. School is expected to resume today, but the principal has been advised to send home any child who displays any symptoms.
“TTUTA is concerned about the latest case of suspected meningitis. We expect that the protocols to be followed in such situations be strictly followed,” Doodhai said.
Earlier this week, the SWRHA confirmed that two children—a five-year-old Fifth Company Baptist School pupil and a child from a different school—had died, from suspected meningitis. The Baptist school has since been sanitised and a medical team administered antibiotics to students and staff.