Knox County Case Not Thought Related To Others Nearby
4/29/2005
Knox County health officials say the hepatitis-A case at Powell High School isn't connected to an outbreak of at least 18 other cases in surrounding counties.
Officials suspect the student got the disease while on a mission trip to Guatemala.
Knox County schools spokesman Russ Oaks says Powell High School administrators sent home a letter to parents, explaining the situation Thursday.
The student's pediatrician alerted the health department earlier in the week about the possible hepatitis case.
The results of a test confirmed the case about noon Thursday. Within two hours, the county health department had given at least 15 preventive shots to the student's family and friends.
Hepatitis-A is rarely fatal, but may make an infected person feel poorly for weeks or even months.
Health officials earlier confirmed at least 13 hepatitis-A cases in Campbell County, four in Scott County and one in Anderson County.
