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Concern at Massapequa High after meningitis death

BY CHRISTINA HERNANDEZ and JOHN VALENTI | christina.hernandez@newsday.com

1:35 PM EST, January 25, 2008

The day after a senior student died of meningococcal meningitis, the flag outside Massapequa High School flew at half staff as inside school and district officials worked to allay the fears of concerned students and their parents that school facilities were safe.

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"It's a parent's worst nightmare, to lose a child like this," acting superintendent Charles Sulc said, as students returned to the school for academic tests including mid-terms, Regents exams and AP exams Friday.

On Thursday, after feeling ill Wednesday night, Michael Gruber, 17, was transported New Island Hospital Thursday morning with flu-like symptoms.

He died early Thursday afternoon at the Bethpage hospital of meningitis, a severe bacterial infection of the bloodstream, according to the Nassau County Department of Health.

It was less than 24 hours after Gruber had taken a Regents exam at Massapequa.

On Friday, officials held a news conference to explain what actions had been taken to ensure the safety of students.

Buses and "other facilities" were sanitized Thursday night with Virex, a disinfectant, according to assistant superintendent Alan Adcock.

Especially targeted were areas that Gruber may have frequented during the day on Wednesday.

Health officials have said that meningococcal meningitis can be spread by saliva and nasal fluids. School officials said Friday there had been "no noticeable drop" in attendance -- though some students arriving at the school Friday morning expressed concerns for their health, despite the precautions being taken.

"I don't really want to be touching things like banisters," said senior Lauren Leone, 17, adding that she "probably" will seek to get vaccinated.

Leone said she was a classmate of Gruber.

Another senior, Nick Beek, 18, of Massapequa Park said that, concerned about his health, he would look into procedures for getting vaccinated. "Someone texted me that he died," Beek said, adding he was upset to learn Gruber, who had been a 6th-grade classmate, had died -- and that he feared meningitis could spread.

Officials attempted to reassure students the risk was minimal, Sulc telling a reporter Friday: "Our kids are healthy and safe in our environment."

Nassau County's acting Health Commissioner Dr. Abby Greenberg said Thursday it was "unusual" for the infection to progress so quickly, but added that "the disease is rapidly progressive."

The health department has been notifying people who have had close contact with Gruber and may need treatment. Anyone who shared food, drink, utensils or a beverage container or had similar contact with him between Jan. 13 and Wednesday should immediately contact a health care provider, according to the health department.

The infection is spread by close contact with nose or throat discharges of the infected person, according to the health department. Symptoms usually appear within two to 10 days of exposure and include high fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck and rash.

On Thursday Sulc, the acting school superintendent, said the district was notifying students and staff who may have had contact with the student and that grief counseling services will be available.

"We are terribly saddened by this tragedy," Sulc said, "and our thoughts and prayers are with the family."

Approximately 2,500 people are infected and 300 die in the United States from the infection each year, according to the New York State Department of Health. The last death from the infection in Nassau County was a 37-year-old in 2004, Greenberg said.

In the last 10 years, she said, there have been as many as 10 cases in the county each year.

Gruber played on the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Youth Organization basketball team and worked part-time as a stock boy at the King Kullen supermarket in Massapequa Park, relatives said.

People who have worked or shopped in the grocery store and others who have had casual contact with him do not likely need treatment, according to the health department.

Custodial and maintenance staff will clean the high school and other facilities the student may have frequented, Sulc said. No other cases of the infection have been reported in the district, he said.

Marty Gruber, the victim's uncle, said Thursday his nephew's parents were not "in a position to be talking right now."

Heidi Sacco, Michael Gruber's aunt, said he grew up in Massapequa, had recently gotten his driver's license and was considering becoming a lawyer.

"He wasn't a bookworm, but he was conscientious about his grades," she said. "I always remember him smiling."

Sacco stressed the importance of learning about the infection, its symptoms and how quickly it can progress.

"He went to bed fine and he woke up dying," she said. "I just can't believe he's gone.

Matthew Chayes, Emerson Clarridge contributed to this story.