Parents Of Oologah Meningitis Victim Agonize Over Sending Kids Back To School

By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

OOLOGAH, OK -- The parents of a 8-year-old girl who died in last week's meningitis outbreak in Oologah are agonizing over the decision to send their surviving children back to school.

Shuache Moua died last Thursday at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. She was one of two students at the Oologah Lower Elementary to die from the disease. Four other students at the lower elementary have been or are hospitalized in the outbreak, as is an 18-year-old senior at Oologah High School.

3/16/2010 Related Story: Family, Friends & Classmates Of Oologah Meningitis Carrier Receive Antibiotics

"This is just a dream to me. I think I'm still sleeping," said Va Moua, Shuache's mother.

Shuache's parents are overcome with grief. Shuache came home from school Wednesday afternoon with a slight headache. Her dad gave her aspirin, and she went to bed feeling much better. By the middle of the night, she had a blue rash on her face and body. She had to be airlifted to a Tulsa hospital.

Shuache died before noon on Thursday.

"It's not like she's been sick a long time and we not help her. It's just so fast, like you blink your eye. I can't believe that she's not here no more," said Va.

Shuache loved soccer and recently earned a medal from a club tournament. She had seven brothers and sisters, but she was the oldest of the girls. Her dad says she loved helping around the house.

"She's kind, she's very sweet, and she had a big, lovely smile," said Koua Moua, Shuache's father.

The Moua's have two children who'll return to Oologah's elementary school after spring break. They say it's an agonizing thought.

"I don't think me, or other parents, feel safe to go back to that school," said Va.

The Moua's are trying to keep Shuache's memory alive.

"She's not here with us, but we will always remember her in our hearts," said Koua.

Shuache's funeral will be Saturday.

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

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.

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.

3/16/2010  Related Story: Meningitis Vaccination Clinic To Be Held At Oologah Lower Elementary School