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Jun 23, 2007 7:27 am US/Eastern
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Hackensack First Grader Dies From Rare E. Coli
by Jay Dow
HACKENSACK, N.J. (CBS) ―
There is growing concern in Hackensack after a first grade student at Jackson Avenue School died Thursday at an area hospital from a rare strain of E. coli bacteria.
Parents in the Bergen County town were shocked to learn about the incident from a letter that school officials distributed.
"I feel sorry for the family, but I didn't know," said Herminia Reyes, whose child attends the school. "[I was] scared because I have my own son in school."
In the letter to parents, Hackensack officials wrote that based on a thorough investigation by local and state health officials, the elementary school is in the clear.
"We are very confident at this point based on the information they provided us that this is an isolated incident and there is no need for concern," Hackensack Superintendent Dr. Joseph Montesano told CBS 2 HD.
What's unclear, however, is how the boy contracted the bacteria.
State health officials say the Jackson Avenue School nurse sent the boy home sick on June 13, but he did not have diarrhea or a fever. That's important because health officials say E. coli is typically transmitted when those symptoms are present.
E. coli is spread when people swallow the bacteria either from eating contaminated food, or from bad hygiene.
The incubation period for symptoms is usually 3 to 8 days.
So far, school officials say no other students here have fallen ill.
Still, retired teacher Frank Perry says that is no consolation for the teacher who had the boy in her class. "She's totally blown away by it and upset by it," Perry said.
Officials say one of the best and easiest ways children can prevent bacteria from spreading after using the bathroom and before eating. For more information on the symptoms of E. coli and how children can be prevented from contracting the bacteria,
click here.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)