An outbreak of viral meningitis on Kaua‘i has sent 50 to 60 children and a few adults to the hospital or their family physicians in the past few days. Dr. Bob Wotring, head of pediatrics at Wilcox Memorial Hospital, said
An outbreak of viral meningitis on Kaua‘i has sent 50 to 60 children and a few adults to the hospital or their family physicians in the past few days.
Dr. Bob Wotring, head of pediatrics at Wilcox Memorial Hospital, said Tuesday that most of the patients were treated and sent home. However, those who were unable to keep down fluids were admitted, he said.
State Department of Health spokeswoman Janice Okubo said there had been an increase of the disease on O‘ahu in the past couple of months, but this was the first report of a recent outbreak on the Neighbor Islands.
Viral meningitis isn’t tracked by the department, so the total number of cases in Hawai‘i isn’t known.
The disease is a relatively common but rarely serious infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain.
There is no specific treatment for the disease that causes headaches, stiff necks, fever, and in some cases vomiting. It normally clears up by itself in about 10 days.
Health officials stressed they haven’t seen any cases of the more serious bacterial meningitis, DHS has moved from Hanapepe to Lihu‘e Officials from the state Department of Human Services Benefit Employment and Support Services Division announced the division has moved their West Unit office on Kaua‘i from Hanapepe to Dynasty Court in Kukui Grove Village West in Lihu‘e.
The new address is 4473 Pahe‘e St., Suite G, and the new phone numbers are 241-3660 and 241-3680.
The West Unit covers Po‘ipu to Ni‘ihau, and provides food stamps and financial, child care and medical assistance.
