Meningitis not confirmed

Stanislaus County health officials said Monday they still did not know for certain if it was bacterial meningitis that caused the death of a 10-year-old Patterson boy last week. Christopher Michael Pearson, a fourth-grader at Las Palmas Elementary School, died Wednesday. Laboratory tests are under way, said Trudi Prevette, a nurse with the Health Services Agency. Friday she said the risk to other students was considered minimal because more than 10 days -- the usual incubation period -- had passed since the child became ill about Jan. 20. His last day at school was the preceding Friday. However, parents have been advised to watch carefully for symptoms. Early signs of the disease can include a sudden onset of fever, chills, vomiting, headache and a stiff neck. Infants and toddlers under 2 may merely be sluggish, irritable, lack appetite or vomit. Chris' obituary appears on Page B-4. -- Blair Craddock

Reprinted by permission of the Modesto Bee.