Teenager on Wichita Flight Infected with Bacterial Meningitis

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KAKE News has confirmed that a teenager who was on a flight that landed at Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport Saturday night has bacterial meningitis.

Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. The bacteria are spread by direct close contact with the discharges from the nose or throat of an infected person. The infection can be treated with antibiotics, but It can cause severe disease that can result in brain damage and even death.

Wichita officials say the teenager was onboard an Air Tran flight that landed in Wichita late last night. The 17 year-old girl was rushed to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. Two airport emergency workers were also treated and released from the hospital.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has been contacted and is expected to release more information Monday. Air Tran and Wesley Medical Center spokespeople have been unavailable for comment on this story.

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Posted by: Janet Location: Cedar Rapids, IA on Jul 26, 2007 at 08:13 AM
My heart goes out to yet another family who is suffering the repercussions of Bacterial Meningitis. We are praying that this girl is blessed with a full recovery. I am one of three families in Cedar Rapids, IA who have lost their children within the past three years to this deadly disease. We knew little about meningitis and were not aware that a vaccine was available to help protect our children. This illness mimics the flu and even fools the doctors into a false diagnosis until it is too late. Our children died within 15 hours of the first “flu-like” symptoms. Families need to be educated on the risks, symptoms and prevention methods. Minutes count so it is crucial to recognize the symptoms and see a doctor at the first signs of infection. Survivors can have long term disabilities such as brain damage, hearing loss, kidney failure, blindness and limb amputations. Adolescents and young adults have an increased risk of contracting this disease due to lifestyle factors. Since the bacteria is spread through air droplets and direct contact with someone who is infected, this age group is more susceptible from sharing items by mouth (water bottles, cigarettes, lip balm, eating utensils, kissing, etc.) Crowded living situations, such as dormitories and sleep away camps, add to the risk. Our children died from a vaccine preventable disease. Visit www.nmaus.org for valuable information.