Press Release: Councilmember Vincent C. Gray’s Statement on a Confirmed Case of Meningitis at Burrville Elementary School

News Release — Ward 7 DC Council member Vincent Gray

October 8, 2019         

Contact: Takiyah “T.N.” Tate

Washington, D.C. – D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) and DC Health officials have confirmed that a student at Burrville Elementary School, located in Ward 7, has tested positive for bacterial meningitis. This type of bacterial meningitis causes inflammation in the lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Those who are in close contact with someone who has tested positive must be treated immediately to prevent further illness as this infection spreads easily and can be deadly. Ward 7 Councilmember and Committee on Health Chair Vincent C. Gray spoke with leadership at DCPS and DC Health and confirmed that DCPS will send notification about this incident to parents of all students at Burrville today.

Initially, upon learning about the student who tested positive for meningitis, DCPS and DC Health officials notified only the parents of children who may have been affected in grades PreK3-and-K4.  Over the weekend, custodians at Burrville quarantined and cleaned the classroom where the child who tested positive is a student, according to DCPS. 

In response to this case of bacterial meningitis at Burrville Elementary, Councilmember Gray issued the following statement:

“While I am relieved to learn that DCPS and DC Health acted swiftly to inform affected school families as soon as DC Health was alerted of the meningitis case, I am extremely concerned that the rest of the Burrville school families received no communication about this critical and potentially fatal health matter.  Many parents at the school only learned of the meningitis case from media reports,” stated Gray.

 “Furthermore,” Gray said, “notification should have been sent to parents with children who may have been affected as well as to parents whose children were less likely to have been affected. In the aftermath of this breakdown in communication, I am pleased that DCPS sent a letter to all Burrville families alerting them to the situation and allaying any concerns for those students who were not affected by this case.  Additionally, schoolwide notification went out in the form of a robo-call this morning at 9:30 am and another robo-call to parents is scheduled for 6 pm this evening.  My office will continue to monitor this situation.”

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