Deadly disease detected
A CASE of meningococcal disease has been confirmed in a Gladstone high school.
Principal of Chanel College Sharon Volp has confirmed a student has been diagnosed with probable meningococcal disease and is currently undergoing treatment in Brisbane.
Miss Volp said that following notification by the student’s family the Chanel College community was provided with information from Queensland Health.
Staff of the Diocesan Catholic Education Office in Rockhampton and Queensland Health personnel provided guidance for the College and responded quickly to the matter in order to ensure the well being of Chanel College students and staff.
“The care of our students and staff is of paramount importance to us and we will continue to work closely with the Diocesan Catholic Education Office and Queensland Health to implement any future recommendations they make in relation to this matter,” Miss Volp said.
A letter was sent home to parents on Monday advising them of the situation.
The letter stated that Queensland Health has no concerns with regard to the transmission of meningococcal in a school setting and class contacts are not considered to be at risk.
Anyone who has been in contact with a person with meningococcal disease is able to continue to attend child care, school or work, and all other activities should be continued as normal regardless of whether or not they have received antibiotics or vaccination.
Queensland Health officers were contacted by The Observer for information about the Gladstone meningococcal case but had not responded by 5pm yesterday.
