This is hitting too close to home for me, especially since my own DD is sick
http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=1142653
The Virginia Department of Health said Thursday it is investigating five deaths of children under the age of seven since Sunday. Four of the children were in Hampton Roads, the fifth in Richmond. At this time, no cause of death has been established and no link between the five deaths has been determined.
"They died unexpectedly, suddenly, and we're trying to figure out why," State Health Commissioner Robert B. Stoube told Richmond NBC Affiliate WWBT-TV Thursday evening.
In a news release distributed earlier in the day, Stroube said, "We are concerned about the recent deaths of these children, and we are rapidly investigating to determine the cause. Due to the preliminary findings in the investigation, it is very unlikely that this is due to bioterrorism."
WAVY News 10 has learned all of the children suffered from respiratory infections prior to their deaths. Two of the four local children where from Virginia Beach. The other two are only identified as 'military dependents.'
The Department of Health says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been notified of the deaths and the ongoing investigation.
"At a time when the nation is at a heightened state of alert, the Virginia Department of Health will take even more serious our normal monitoring of illness and fatality, looking for patterns and linkages," said Deputy Commissioner for Emergency Preparedness and Response Lisa Kaplowitz. "This is a part of an overall epidemiological strategy to detect and respond to health threats that are not a result of natural causes."
Although no link has been established to the deaths under investigation by the Department of Health, a letter from the Health Services Department of the Virginia Beach School System was distributed to parents of Trantwood Elementary students Thursday. The letter references the Wednesday death of a female Trantwood second-grader from complications related to pneumonia, and reminds parents of sick children to:
Wash hands often (both children's and caregiver's)
Cover mouth when coughing or sneezing
Watch for symptoms
Do not send child to school until fever-free for 24 hours
Trantwood Elementary is located in the Great Neck section of Virginia Beach
WAVY News 10 is following this developing story and will have more information in upcoming newscasts.