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Lusby family members die from respiratory illness

Cause of illness “has not been completely confirmed”

by KATIE FITZPATRICK, Staff writer
Three members of a Lusby family have died from a severe respiratory illness, according to the Calvert County Health Department.

Over the last two weeks, four members of the family were admitted to the hospital for severe respiratory illnesses, three of which have died, according to a health department press release. Symptoms of the respiratory illness were not included in the press release, nor were the names of the victims.

According to the Calvert County Health Department website, an elderly woman became sick about Feb. 23 at her home with upper respiratory symptoms. Three of her children, a son and two daughters, were taking care of her and also developed similar upper respiratory symptoms about Feb. 28.

All four people were hospitalized and became critically ill and three family members have since died. Health department officials said one person remains hospitalized at the Washington Hospital Center.

Dan Williams, Deputy Health Officer at the health department, said the information given in the press release is “all the information we have at this point.”

The cause of these illnesses “has not been completely confirmed” and testing is still being done, the press release states. According to the health department, there is no information that indicates the need for special preventative measures such as antibiotics for those that may have had close contact with the affected family.

The health department will continue to work with the healthcare providers and others on this situation and will update county residents if new information important to their health become available, the press release states.

Anyone suffering from influenza-like illnesses, including a fever, cough or sore throat, is encouraged to check with a healthcare provider to be evaluated and see if antiviral or other medications would be beneficial.

Calvert County Public Schools sent out a press release that states the health and safety of the students and their families is CCPS’s primary concern. The school system is in close contact with the health department to stay aware of the situation. CCPS has not been advised by the health department to take any specific precautionary measures, the press release states.

The issue was also discussed at Tuesday morning’s Calvert County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting. In a handout given to those present at the meeting, commissioners said county fire rescue and EMS staff will remain diligent about using appropriate precautions in the care of patients with respiratory symptoms. The commissioners said the Criminal Investigative Team from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office will be investigating the case and a Hazardous Materials team will conduct a follow-up investigation at the family’s home.

In the handout, commissioners urged residents to help prevent the spread of infection by washing hands with soap and water; covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze; avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth; avoiding close contact with sick people; staying at home if you are sick; and limiting contact with others to keep from infecting them.

kfitzpatrick@somdnews.com
http://www.somdnews.com/article/2012030 ... rnMaryland

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http://www.recombinomics.com/News/03061 ... _MD_5.html

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http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/03/ca ... 73419.html
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http://www.calverthealth.org/

Calvert County deaths linked to flu-like symptoms

edited my prior post to substitute more official info from Calvert County Health Department

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CALVERT COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

DAVID L. ROGERS, MD MPH, Health Officer

Contact Information: 410-535-5400

March 6, 2012

The Calvert County Health Department (CCHD) is investigating a cluster of respiratory illnesses that have resulted in the deaths of three individuals from the Lusby area.

The cases appear to be confined to a single family and there are currently no other affected individuals at this time. CCHD is not recommending any protective actions for the general public.

The first case of illness occurred in an 81-year-old woman who presented symptoms at her home beginning on or about February 23, 2012. She was cared for at home by three of her children, a son and two daughters. The caregivers developed similar upper respiratory symptoms on or about February 28, 2012. All were hospitalized and became critically ill. The elderly woman, a 58-year-old son and a 56-year-old daughter subsequently died. A third family member and caregiver is currently hospitalized at the Washington Hospital Center.

The state Office of Chief Medical Examiner is working to determine the cause of the illness.

Residents are recommended to take standard precautions to prevent the spread of illness including hand washing and limiting contact with sick individuals. Those with flu-like symptoms should check with their healthcare provider to be evaluated.

There have been no new cases reported as of 2:00 p.m.

The above total is 5 and mentions a "caregiver" in addition to the four family members. It is possible that the "caregiver" is the funeral director mentioned in the anecdotal comment.

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Melissa Mollet

The house in Lusby where four people came down with respiratory illness, killing three. A Hazmat team collected samples around 2 p.m. there Tuesday.

The Calvert County Health Department is investigating a cluster of deaths following respiratory illnesses in the Lusby area.

The county health department told News4 four family members who live near the Calvert Cliffs nuclear facility fell ill with an unidentified respiratory illness.

An 81-year-old woman was the first to become sick, in late February. The woman's three adult children, two daughters and a son, traveled to her home to care for her. Subsquently, they became sick with similar health problems.

According to the health department, the 81-year-old died presented symptoms of respiratory illness on February 23, and died on March 1. The children showed symptoms around February 28, and were hospitalized in critical condition. Several days later, the 58-year-old son and the 56-year-old daughter died, and the third daughter remains hospitalized.

Health officer David Rogers, in a statement released on March 6, said the county health department does not believe the illness represents a widespread health threat.

"The cases appear to be confined to a single family," Rogers wrote, "and there are currently no other affected individuals at this time. CCHD is not recommending any protective actions for the general public."

In an earlier statement, the county erroneously reported four deaths.

The department recommends people with flu-like symptoms like fever, cough, or sore throat contact their doctors to see if they would benefit from antiviral or other medications. Currently, county health officials are not advising any specific preventive measures.

CCHD sent a message to area residents to say it was working together with health care providers to monitor the situation and determine a cause for the respiratory illness. A spokesperson told News4 the victims' proximity to the power plant was not believed to be a factor.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/healt ... 60013.html

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The Calvert County Health Department is investigating a cluster of respiratory-related deaths. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Cluster of respiratory-related deaths under investigation in Md.
Tuesday - 3/6/2012, 2:56pm ET


The Calvert County Health Department is investigating a cluster of respiratory-related deaths. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

WASHINGTON - Three people in the Lusby, Md. area have died from a respiratory illness and the Calvert County Health Department is investigating the cluster of deaths.

The case appears to be confined to a single family and there are no other individuals affected, the health department says.

At this time, they are not recommending any protective actions for the general public.

Calvert County schools made automated phone calls home to dispel rumors, says Deputy Health Officer Dan Williams.

The first case of illness was reported in an 81-year-old woman who began showing symptoms around Feb. 23. Three of the woman's children took care of her in her home.

The three children, a son and two daughters, developed similar upper respiratory symptoms around Feb. 28.

All four of the family members were eventually hospitalized and became critically ill.

The elderly woman, a 58-year-old son and a 56-year-old daughter died.

The other daughter is currently hospitalized at the Washington Hospital Center.

The state Office of Chief Medical Examiner is working to determine a cause of the illness and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been asked to evaluate tissue samples from the victims.

The health department is recommending that Calvert County residents take standard precautions to prevent the spread of illness, including washing their hands and limiting contact with sick individuals.

Those with flu-like symptoms should check with their healthcare provider to be evaluated.

Follow WTOP on Twitter.
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=93&sid=2775008

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37 Comments

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The Truth

Mar 06, 2012 - 11:29:29 AM


Hmmmm- A mile down from a Nuclear Power Plant...Hmmmmm, need more information...has anyone done any testing? Air, Land, Water? Privately??
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Funny

Mar 06, 2012 - 03:10:17 PM


Haha ignorance! You have to love it. What do you know about nuclear power? I work at the plant and also live closer than this family did and me nor any of my family have symptoms. Nor do any of my co workers who are around it everyday like many people. So to say "hmmmmm.... A mile down from a nuclear power plant" how about you do your research or "testing" before you go making assumptions like this. Have you ever heard of SARS.
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Answer

Mar 06, 2012 - 11:33:20 AM


Power plant has nothing to do with it. They also live a mile from a natural gas plant and 3 miles from a naval air station. Quit with the conspiracy theory.
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More Questions

Mar 06, 2012 - 11:36:23 AM


That actually raises more questions. Respiratory illnesses are often linked to airborne environmental pollutants, and as you have pointed out, these people live very close to 3 installations that create airborne environmental pollutants.
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Final Answer

Mar 06, 2012 - 11:47:41 AM


The onesillnesses to be afraid of are viral, which have nothing to do with the surrounding facilities you speak of.
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God's Answer

Mar 06, 2012 - 12:34:23 PM


You are all wrong, and anyone not being nice to their fellow man, is NEXT.
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Distance

Mar 06, 2012 - 03:28:42 PM


Exactly how are you measuring this? "They also live a mile from a natural gas plant and 3 miles from a naval air station." They are not that close to either and what would the base have to do with anything?
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Rich Green

Mar 06, 2012 - 11:42:03 AM


I would like to know why a lay person felt it necessary to mention the proximity of a power station, especially when a diagnosis has not been determined and while the medical community has advised that causality has not yet been determined either. I am wondering if this was a literary liberty taken by the author or was this intimated by someone who is involved with the investigation mearly speaking off the cuff. I for one would have eliminated that comment as an editor for the simple reason that it is inconsequential at this point in the evaluative stage of determining a medically valid cause of the sickness.
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want clean air

Mar 06, 2012 - 12:20:26 PM


Chalk point was on the top ten list of most polluting plants in the US with Nitrogen oxide which is linked to respiratory illness. Makes you wonder but than again I have had a sinus problem since Jan and am not getting better even with meds.
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So no to communist Rich

Mar 06, 2012 - 12:37:55 PM


You are wondering why someone made a comment below the article and think it's a good idea for those managing the comment section to remove it? It's just an idea someone brought up, freedom of expression. Grow up in Communist Russia? Communist Russia grow up in you!
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Scribo

Mar 06, 2012 - 01:02:40 PM


The Health Department was the first to mention this family's proximity to the power plant. I believe it was just a way to provide a general description of where this is occurring. But I also thought it was interesting to include that in there.
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Deb

Mar 06, 2012 - 01:14:27 PM


Chalk Point is in Charles County not Calvert.
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Jen

Mar 06, 2012 - 01:45:08 PM


Maybe you have allergies, not an infection. Try a neti pot.
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gh

Mar 06, 2012 - 11:50:55 AM


Shame on all u liberal quacks
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God

Mar 06, 2012 - 12:41:32 PM


The United States was founded as a Liberal Democracy as an alternative to extreme conservatism that existed in the old world, England. Wise cracking Neo conservatives give me a bad name.
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The Truth

Mar 06, 2012 - 11:52:54 AM


Naaaa, No Conspiracy Theorists here...always open to ALL possible causes... Symptoms and of Radiation Pneumonitis It is important to be aware of radiation pneumonitis, because symptoms can be very similar to those caused by lung cancer alone, or can be mistaken for an infection such as pneumonia. Common symptoms include: Shortness of breath that is usually more notable with exercise Chest pain, especially that which worsens with breathing Cough Low-grade fever In some cases, no symptoms are present, and radiation pneumonitis is found by its appearance on a chest x-ray alone.
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Agree

Mar 06, 2012 - 11:53:02 AM


I think maybe it was mentioned stricly for the fact of the location of the home of the 4 family members. Reality is though, people in Calvert County knows where Lusby is. I am actually wondering something else. A little over a week ago a teenager from Calvert High School died. Prior to his death (which I believe was due to possible asthma attack, but not sure) it was clearly stated he had a Upper Respitory Infection for weeks. In fact he only had been back at school for a day (after being out a week) prior to his death. Makes you wonder if the illness is related. I personally know someone that has been fighting something from the Lusby area for about a month now. Been to UC, ER, ENT, Primary Doctor. They all agree she is really sick, put her on TONS of medications, and although she is somewhat better...still not up to par at all. QUIET scary now finding out about this. Wondering if she has been fighting the same virus.
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A lot of 'pneumonia' going around

Mar 06, 2012 - 12:38:18 PM


I have a family member, and several friends, who are either just getting over, or are still under active treatment, for what the doctors call 'walking pneumonia'. It's been difficult to treat, and has included drugs normally used for asthma (maybe that's normal - I don't know). Thanks for posting about the death of the student. I will be watching my family member even more closely now, and passing this info on to my friends.
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Lusby has a large number of citizens with these sy

Mar 06, 2012 - 02:28:57 PM


Just walk into Walgreens or CVS. The pharmacies have been so busy the past month or so they are running out of certain antibiotics just about every night.
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When?

Mar 06, 2012 - 11:53:13 AM


When did Calvert County become part of Virginia?
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http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/03/ca ... 73419.html

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The Calvert County Health Department is investigating a cluster of deaths following respiratory illnesses in the Lusby area.

The county health department told News4 four family members who live near the Calvert Cliffs nuclear facility fell ill with an unidentified respiratory illness at the end of February, and three died this month.

An 81-year-old woman was the first to become sick, in late February. The woman's three adult children, two daughters and a son, traveled to her home to care for her. Subsquently, they became sick with similar health problems.

According to the health department, the 81-year-old died presented symptoms of respiratory illness on February 23, and died on March 1. The children showed symptoms around February 28, and were hospitalized in critical condition. Several days later, the 58-year-old son and the 56-year-old daughter died, and the third daughter remains hospitalized.

Health officer David Rogers, in a statement released on March 6, said the county health department does not believe the illness represents a widespread health threat.

"The cases appear to be confined to a single family," Rogers wrote, "and there are currently no other affected individuals at this time. CCHD is not recommending any protective actions for the general public."

In an earlier statement, the county erroneously reported four deaths.

The department recommends people with flu-like symptoms like fever, cough, or sore throat contact their doctors to see if they would benefit from antiviral or other medications. Currently, county health officials are not advising any specific preventive measures.

CCHD sent a message to area residents to say it was working together with health care providers to monitor the situation and determine a cause for the respiratory illness. A spokesperson told News4 the victims' proximity to the power plant was not believed to be a factor.

On Monday afternoon, a crew of health workers dressed in hazardous material suits entered the woman's house and collected more samples for testing.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46639481/ns ... rt-county/

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Three dead from cluster of respiratory illnesses in Calvert County, Md.
By Lena H. Sun, Tuesday, March 6, 3:32 PM
Maryland and Calvert County health officials are investigating a cluster of respiratory illnesses that have resulted in the deaths of three individuals from the same family, officials said Tuesday.

The cases appear to be confined to a single family from the Lusby area, and county health officials issued a news release Tuesday saying there are currently no other affected individuals. The department is not recommending any protective actions for the general public, the statement said.
The first case occurred in an 81-year-old woman who became sick at home around Feb. 23, 2012. Her son and two daughters took care of her at her home, and then developed similar upper respiratory symptoms five days later, on Feb. 28, health officials said.

All were hospitalized and became critically ill. The elderly woman, a 58-year-old son and a 56-year-old daughter subsequently died. A third family member, who health officials did not identify, is currently hospitalized at the Washington Hospital Center.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said the patient is doing well.

Maryland’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner is working to determine the cause of the illness, officials said.

In an interview, Medical Examiner David Fowler said Calvert County health officials contacted his office Monday seeking assistance. One of the bodies was being transported to Baltimore Tuesday for an autopsy, he said. He did not know which victim it was. At least one of the other bodies had already been embalmed and buried, local officials told him.

Local officials do not have a working hypothesis as to what caused the deaths, he said. Calvert County health officials did not return telephone calls for comment.

The medical examiner’s office will examine the respiratory organs in detail, Fowler said, and conduct blood cultures for bacteria and viruses. Even if the autopsy shows pneumonia, for example, “that won’t tell you what organism caused it,” he said.

Local officials are asking residents to take standard precautions to prevent the spread of illness, including hand washing and limiting contact with sick individuals. Those with flu-like symptoms should check with their health-care provider to be evaluated.

Tom Skinner, a spokesman for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said federal officials have had initial conversations with local health officials and have offered to assist. “There are plans to try to send some [lab] samples to CDC for us to take a look at,” Skinner said. “We have the capability to look at a wide array of tests to see whether it’s a bacteria, whether it’s a virus, whether it’s a fungus, or whether it’s some sort of environmental toxin.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/ ... story.html

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