[CIMC-work] Alert from Global IMC re: FTAA & meningitis

[DickReilly at aol.com]

Hi Mitch

The death of NJ ARA activst Jordan F. is a telling example of  how partial 
info and rumor can be propelled  across the Net, and occasionally, sadly across 
the IMC network. and taken as gospel.  Which I hope, the Global website will 
correct: This is the release that Chicago Action Medical issued in order to 
correct the record, and reduce panic. 

- Dick 



Jordan was NOT a medic in Miami. He was an activist with New Jersey ARA, who 
ran with an ARA cluster in Miami. His affinity group reports that he did not 
function as an AG medic, ( although he was trained as a street medic ) and was 
never seen treating injured protesters in Miami. He also volunteered to work 
decontaminating medical gear outside the Convergence Center briefly. 

Jordan died tragically from Meningococcal meningitis(Neisseria meningitidis)- 
one of the most devastating types of meningitis today. The bacteria that 
cause meningococcal meningitis reside in the throats and nasal passages of 
approximately 15% of the general population. Researchers are unsure why the bacteria 
attacks some people while most of the population are not affected. 
Meningococcal disease results when the meningitis bacteria infect the lining of the brain 
(called the meninges) and spinal cord. It can spread to the bloodstream and 
other organs, resulting in meningococcemia or septicemia (blood poisoning). 

Although most cases involve very young children in the US, recent studies 
indicate that especially among adolescents and young adults, factors such as 
close living; sharing utensils, cups, cigarettes, lip gloss; lowered immune levels 
due to fatigue or recent illness; and other environmental and behavioral 
factors may play a significant role in who gets meningococcal disease. 

Meningitis is spread through close contact where saliva is transmitted such 
as coughing, sneezing, kissing or sharing drinks or cigarettes. It is not 
airborne. The bacteria cannot live outside the body for very long, so the disease 
is not as easily transmitted as a cold virus. Ways to help prevent spreading 
the disease include following good hygiene practices such as washing hands, not 
sharing water bottles or other drinks, avoiding cigarettes, and generally not 
transmitting or sharing items that have been in one's mouth. 

So if you had this kind of contact with him, shared a water bottle or 
cigarette, or exchanged bodily fluids, you indeed are at risk, and should seek 
immediate medical attention. His affinity group comrades already have. 

For more info, see: 

Meningococcal Disease FAQs - Center for Disease Control, Division of Baterial 
and Mycotic Diseases 
<A HREF="http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm">http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm</A> 

About Meningitis: FAQs from the National Meningitis Association 
<A HREF="http://www.nmaus.org/about/index.htm">http://www.nmaus.org/about/index.htm</A> 

Meningococcal Meningitis? FAQs from the American Collegiate Health 
Association 
<A HREF="http://www.acha.org/projects_programs/faq.cfm">http://www.acha.org/projects_programs/faq.cfm</A> 

- Chicago Action Medical    
    
    
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