Norfolk jail inmate died from bacterial meningitis

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — 10 On Your facet labored to attach the dots and decided {that a} sufferer who died from bacterial meningitis was a former inmate of the Norfolk Metropolis Jail.

An inmate examined constructive for bacterial meningitis at an area hospital on Friday, March 8. The Norfolk Sheriff’s Workplace and Norfolk Metropolis Jail had been contacted by the Norfolk Well being Division on Monday, March 11, to tell them of the take a look at outcome, deputies mentioned. The workplace and jail by no means immediately confirmed that the inmate died or was tied to different meningitis instances. As an alternative, 10 On Your Facet made the connections individually.

Whereas on the jail, the inmate was positioned in a cell block with different inmates after being booked on March 1. All of the inmates and employees who could have had contact had been supplied a dose of antibiotic and adopted quarantine protocols, deputies mentioned. There have been no extra confirmed instances within the jail, and the quarantines had been lifted.

The Norfolk Division of Well being mentioned on Thursday, March 14, that they had been investigating a bacterial meningitis case.

In accordance with the Sheriff’s workplace, not all of the inmates and employees that had been supplied antibiotics took the therapy. 33 folks on Workers from the Norfolk Sheriff’s Workplace took the medication, whereas 5 refused. 54 inmates on the Norfolk Metropolis Jail took the medication, and 5 inmates refused.

No inmates or employees have proven any signs, the Norfolk Sheriff’s Workplace informed WAVY.

Bacterial meningitis could be very severe and might trigger tissue round your mind to swell, resulting in long-term problems or demise.

“The excellent news is there’s a very efficient vaccine for Neisseria Meningitis, the one which we’re referring to the grownup right here, on this space,” Dr. Susan Girois, Director of the Norfolk Well being Division mentioned. “It’s an efficient vaccine, really. It’s required for all of our children within the faculties, rising seventh graders and rising twelfth graders”.

Girois mentioned bacterial meningitis whereas contagious, is just not as simply unfold as a chilly or flu. Somebody must sneeze in your face or you will get it by way of kissing, or sharing drinks.

It has been confirmed {that a} separate case of Francis Asbury Elementary Faculty scholar who died from meningitis had a distinct strand then the one of many inmate.

WAVY-TV 10 will proceed observe each tales for any developments.