Belize City student sent home after being suspected of having meningitis

by Charles Gladden

BELIZE CITY, Wed. Jan. 31, 2024

This afternoon, January 31, reports spread like wildfire that a student attending Holy Redeemer Primary School had shown up for the day’s session on Monday, January 29, exhibiting some symptoms of illness, and was ultimately sent home, after allegedly testing positive for Meningitis.

While the school has yet to disclose any information regarding the child’s identity, it did mention that the student was from its Infant 1 Nicasio class and that following the preliminary, informal diagnosis, the entire class was sent home for the remainder of the day, Wednesday, as a precautionary measure.

In a press release issued by Holy Redeemer, parents of school students were advised to monitor their children and seek medical assistance if they display symptoms such as intensive headache, nausea, stiff neck, rash, diarrhea, and fever.

The media had reached out for a comment from the Ministry of Health & Wellness (MOHW) concerning the possible meningitis case, but they initially declined to comment. However, late this evening the Ministry issued a press release saying, “Preliminary laboratory results suggest that it is not bacterial meningitis and that the child is currently in good health. The ministry is [investigating], conducting further tests, and implementing recommended measures in schools and among individuals who had contact with the child.”

This is the third time this month that a child has been suspected of contracting meningitis, and the public is understandably alarmed because of the case in December of last year which claimed the life of 9-year-old United Evergreen student, Jayce Brown of Belmopan.

Attempts were made to contact Holy Redeemer Principal, Leticia Waight for further comment; however, those efforts went unanswered.