Family, Friends & Classmates Of Oologah Meningitis Carrier Receive Antibiotics

With a seventh case of meningitis now confirmed, many of those who've come into contact with the latest carrier don't want to take any chances.

Tuesday, March 16th 2010, 4:49 pm

By: News On 6

Family, Friends & Classmates Of Oologah Meningitis Carrier Receive Antibiotics

By Craig Day, The News On 6

OOLOGAH, OK -- With a seventh case of meningitis now confirmed, many of those who've come into contact with the latest carrier don't want to take any chances.

Karisa Pales, 18, is the first high school student from Oologah with a confirmed case of meningitis. For her family, it is scary, especially knowing the illness has killed two students.

"We're just thankful she's not one of the others. It could be a lot worse," said Rhonda Vickery, Karisa's mom.

On Tuesday, Vickery and other family members, friends and classmates of Karisa went to the Rogers County Health Department to get antibiotics as a precaution.

"Make sure everyone around her is ok," said Tisha Gordon, Karisa's aunt.

"It scared me thinking that could happen to us or something," said Sammy Gordon, Karisa's niece.

The health department provided antibiotics for people who have come into close contact with Karisa and would then have a slightly higher risk of developing the illness.

"Anytime you have things involving kids, especially when two of the students have died, parents are scared to death," said Mary Beth Murray, Rogers County Health Department.

Two elementary children have died, 7-year-old Andrew Thomas and 9-year-old Shuache Moua. While they couldn't find a connection before, the Rogers County Health Department now says Karisa is friends with an older sibling of one of the other victims.

The Rogers County Health Department is holding a meningitis vaccination clinic at Oologah Lower Elementary School Friday, 12-7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. This clinic is for Oologah residents only, ages 2 to 55. The health department says the vaccine will not be available to those older than 55, because it hasn't been tested for patients in that age group.

"One of the reasons is to help allay the fears of the parents and the children," said Murray.

For Karisa's mom and other family members, they didn't want to take any chances. They say since the illness strikes so suddenly and can be deadly, no one else should take chances either.

"Get up here, get your shots. Just be safe. Just be safe," said Vickery.

Public health officials stress that the general public is not at risk. Only persons who have had close, personal contact to a person with a meningococcal infection have a slightly increased risk of developing the disease.

Symptoms of meningococcal disease may appear two to ten days after infection. People ill with meningococcal septicemia may have fever, nausea, vomiting and a rash. People that are ill with meningitis will have fever, intense headache, nausea, vomiting and a stiff neck. Officials say it is important to seek care from a physician as soon as possible if these symptoms appear.

For more information on meningococcal disease, visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health Web site and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.