Meningitis Outbreak in Macon County
Macon Media received a press release from the Macon County Public Schools yesterday about an outbreak of Meningitis in the county. A later email added information that the people involved were adults. A later report by Trappalachia [LINK] revealed that these adults were not employed by the school system, allaying fears among parents that children were involved.
More information on the disease:
Centers for Disease Control [LINK]
Mechanisms of Pathogenicity [LINK]
PRESS RELEASE
Macon County Public Schools
Macon County Public Health (MCPH) has confirmed an outbreak of meningitis. Two deaths have occurred in the last three weeks; one is confirmed to have been caused by Neisseria meningitidis. A second death suspected to be linked to Neisseria meningitidis is under investigation.
At this time, and on the advice of state and local health department officials, preventive antibiotics are being provided to individuals known to have come in close contact with individuals infected with the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria.
Due to privacy laws we cannot disclose personal information related to any cases.
Meningococcal disease is a disease caused by a kind of bacteria known as Neisseria meningitidis. These bacteria can sometimes cause infection of the bloodstream, meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and other serious illnesses.
Symptoms may include the following: sudden onset of fever, severe headache, rash, stiff neck, stomach pain, nausea or vomiting. The disease progresses quickly and can be deadly.
Meningococcal is spread by direct contact with saliva such as through sharing eating utensils, foods, cigarettes and other smoking devices, kissing and providing unprotected mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. People do not catch this disease through casual contact, or by breathing air where someone with meningococcal disease has been.
As a prevention effort, children are required to receive Meningococcal vaccination at 11, 12, and 17 years of age. Adults and children should also wash their hands or use waterless, alcohol-based hand cleanser after touching their face. People should avoid sharing eating utensils, drinking cups or anything that would help the spread of nose and throat fluids.
Macon County Public Health will continue to work with the NC Division of Public Health to help contain the outbreak. The group will work with local area health care providers, first responders, funeral homes personnel, and other community groups.
If you are experiencing any symptoms, please go directly to the emergency room. If you have any questions, or think you may have been in contact with an infected individual, please call the health department at 349-2517.
Outlook
Deeper moisture will remain over our region today as a weak front becomes nearly stationary over the area. This front will linger across the Southeast into the weekend, bringing increased chances for showers. Dry high pressure and much colder temperatures will eventually spread back over the area early next week.
THREE DAY GFS FORECAST
This animated image shows a forecast of precipitation, air pressure and thickness level (cold-air damming) for three days in six-hour increments.
Green, Yellow, and Red indicate rain. Orange and Purple Indicate Freezing Rain or other freezing precipitation. Blue indicates snow.
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Weather Hazards
Hazardous weather is not expected today. Colder temperatures are expected to impact the region next week.
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WEATHER FORECAST MAPS
Forecast maps for 7 am, 1 pm, and 7 pm.
[click on any image in this article to enlarge]
FRANKLIN AREA FORECAST
Today
Showers, mainly after 11am. High near 60. Calm winds in the morning, then from the south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers likely, mainly before 9pm. Patchy fog before 7pm, then patchy fog after 8pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Winds out of the south around 5 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday
A chance of rain before 8am, then a chance of showers after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high in the upper 50s. Calm winds in the morning then from the southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday Night
A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Calm winds.
Saturday
A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
OTTO AREA FORECAST
Today
Showers, mainly after 11am. Patchy fog between 9am and 10am. High near 60. Calm winds in the morning then from the south around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers likely, mainly before 9pm. Patchy fog before 3am, then patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low in the mid-to-upper 40s. Winds out of the south around 6 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday
A chance of rain before 8am, then a chance of showers after 8am. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. Calm winds in the morning then from the southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Showers likely, mainly before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Light winds out of the southwest. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday
A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
HIGHLANDS PLATEAU FORECAST
Today
Showers, mainly after 11am. Patchy fog between 8am and 1pm. Highs in the lower 50s. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning, then from the southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers likely, mainly before 10pm. Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Winds out of the south 5 to 10 mph shifting to come out of the west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday
A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 7am. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph shifting to come out of the southwest in the afternoon. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Showers likely, mainly before 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Winds out of the southwest 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday
A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high in the low-to-mid 50s.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low in the low-to-mid 40s.
NANTAHALA AREA FORECAST
Today
Showers, mainly after 11am. Patchy fog between 8am and 11am. Highs in the mid-to-upper 50s. Winds out of the southwest 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers likely, mainly before 10pm. Patchy fog before 1am, then patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Winds out of the southwest around 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday
A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 7am. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high in the lower 50s. Calm winds in the morning then from the southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Showers likely, mainly before 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Calm winds before midnight rising to come out of the southwest around 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday
A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55.
Saturday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low in the low-to-mid 40s.
Macon County Almanac for February 28, 2019
Highest Temperature 79°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1996
Lowest Temperature 6°F in Highlands in 2002
Greatest Rainfall 4.00 inches in Highlands in 1882
Greatest Snowfall 6.0 inches in Highlands in 1937
Weather Extremes for Macon County for February
Data available from 1873 to 2018
Highest Temperature 79°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on 02-28-1996
Lowest Temperature -19°F in Highlands on 02-13-1899
Greatest Rainfall 6.37 inches at the Coweeta Experimental Station on 02-13-1966
Greatest Snowfall 15.0 inches in Highlands on 02-14-1912
Weather Extremes for Macon County for February
Data available from 1873 to 2018
Highest Temperature 79°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on 02-28-1996
Lowest Temperature -19°F in Highlands on 02-13-1899
Greatest Rainfall 6.37 inches at the Coweeta Experimental Station on 02-13-1966
Greatest Snowfall 15.0 inches in Highlands on 02-14-1912
Published at 3:50 am on February 28, 2019
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