|
|
| Meningitis Cause of Fla. Inmate's Death |
| By Associated Press / Florida Today |
| Published: 05/29/2003 |
|
Medical officials have confirmed that bacterial meningitis caused a Titusville man to die about six hours after being released from Brevard County Jail. But the strain of the disease which killed Timothy Willis, 47, on Saturday was not contagious, officials said. Willis, who was in jail on a parole violation, had been housed in Brevard County jail's medical ward, but sheriff's department officials have not revealed why Willis was receiving medical treatment at the facility. Eight individuals - five emergency-medical technicians and three jail inmates - had been prescribed antibiotics, after officials feared they had been in close contact with Willis in the hours before his death. Jail directors and county health personnel said Tuesday that there was no reason for further precautions to be taken. 'There is no significant issue as far as the health and safety of our personnel,' said Cmdr. Terry Altman, the jail's director. Meningitis is an infection of the spinal-cord fluid that can cause swelling in the spine and brain. It spreads through close contact. Bacterial meningitis kills 5 percent to 20 percent of victims and can cause brain damage in survivors. Under normal conditions, viral meningitis is significantly less contagious than the bacterial strain of the disease. Willis is fifth Floridian to die of bacterial meningitis this year. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think