MENINGITIS OUTBREAK IN KERN COUNTY CALIFORNIA

There is a total number of 23 cases in the county since December. The school district sent a warning letter home with students about the disease.

Kevin Silberberg, Standard School District"s Superintendent said, " There is no way to know 100 percent that it didn't happen at school but the letter from the Health Department given to the parents said it was every indication that it didn't happen at school ".

Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis. The disease can be spread by close contact like sharing lipsticks, and food, and can result in brain damage, hearing loss and even death. Many people can carry the infection and never get sick.

Doctors have been warned not to mistake meningitis with swine flu. A friend of mine called from Arizona Friday. She has been in the hospital for a week with meningitis

A good teaching tool for children is: www.germywormy.com

CHINA REFUSES IMPORT OF AUSTRALIAN MILK PRODUCT

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said nine tons of Ausnutria milk powder, produced by Tatura Milk Industries in Victoria, failed the standard for Enterobacter sakazaki, a bacteria that in infants can cause meningitis, inflammation of the brain's protective membranes, developmental problems and death.

Reuters reported that more than 14 tons of Pauls milk, produced by Parmalat Australia, a subsidiary of the Italian food giant, also failed a bacteria test.

The rejected Australian milk products were part of 2719 consignments of imported food and cosmetics rejected by the administration in the first seven months of this year, China Daily reported.