misskriss 0 #1 February 21, 2003 Since this was published this morning, two more children have died... they say they are previously healthy with mild symptoms such as earache..headache sore throat.. It's sad..and worrisome. My girls have been home sick all week.. Va. probing mysterious deaths of 5 children By Beverly Williams and Elena Gaona The state health department is investigating the deaths of five young children age 7 and younger who have died in the last five days, four in Hampton Roads and one in Richmond. All five had upper respiratory infections prior to their deaths, and one or two were vomiting. One case was a child in Hampton, according to Dr. Elaine Perry, director of the Peninsula Health District. That child suffered from mild upper respiratory symptoms, but Perry would not provide further details. She referred all other inquiries to the state health department in Richmond. Of the deaths in this region, three were girls and one a boy, with one each confirmed in Portsmouth and Virginia Beach, according to broadcast reports. No cause of death or link between the five children has been determined, the Virginia Department of Health said in a release issued Thursday. "We are concerned about the recent deaths of these children, and we are rapidly investigating to determine the cause," State Health Commissioner Dr. Robert B. Stroube said in the statement. The entire Eastern region of the state's health district is investigating the deaths, Perry said. "This is part of an overall epidemiological strategy to detect and respond to health threats that are not a result of natural causes," Lisa Kaplowitz, deputy commissioner for emergency preparedness and response, said in the statement issued from the health department. The health department downplayed concerns that the deaths were in some way terrorist-related, though it said it had notified the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The investigation is primarily being conducted by the state Office of the Medical Examiner. A spokeswoman for the CDC said the organization has a "working group of specialists that investigate unexplained deaths." She did not know if the agency was asked to look into the Virginia deaths. Richmond police said a 5-year-old girl who had stopped breathing was found Monday morning by a relative and pronounced dead on the scene, but a police spokesman did not know if the case was related. An official at the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk said upper respiratory infections occur between the ears and diaphragm, which could include a cold or an ear infection. Article received on Friday, February 21 2003 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #2 February 21, 2003 Source please? Where'd you get this?quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
misskriss 0 #3 February 21, 2003 http://www.wavy.com/ It's been on the news here all day... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #4 February 21, 2003 Interesting read. It might be worth following to see if something does pop-up, but unless they all died of the same virus/bacteria the cases don't seem to be connected -- mearly an unfortunate coincidence.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
misskriss 0 #5 February 21, 2003 I guess they are currently looking for whatever infectious agent... anyway....I am extremely paranoid when it comes to my babies and have been walking around spraying lysol on everything and washing their sheets at a temperature that would scare the devil himself....I guess i'm acting just like the guy who "safe guarded" his house from chemical warfare with plastic and duct tape...I know the kids will be fine....just can't help but have a nervous twinge about it.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pammi 0 #6 February 22, 2003 I don't blame you at all. I felt the same way reading this, thinking, "That's not that far from here." Plus I'm always suspicious when they are so vague...but of course, if you have no answers to give... I'm sure it will be fine though. It's a nasty time of the year for illness, and I don't know about where you are, but there's been a TON of kids (and grown-ups) sick around here lately. Let us know if you hear more. Pam Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
misskriss 0 #7 February 25, 2003 Update... http://aolsvc.kw.digitalcity.com/hamptonroads/news/article.adp?article=1238533 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pammi 0 #8 February 25, 2003 Thanks! Still seems kinda weird, but hopefully just a coincidence as they said. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
