Encephalitis Kills Boy, Shuts Down Schools in R.I.

Jan. 5, 2007 — -- An encephalitis outbreak in Rhode Island has prompted the closing of public schools and is frightening parents.

Three children at the Greenwood Elementary School in Warwick, R.I. have contracted encephalitis. One, second grader Dylan Gleavy, died from the disease two weeks ago.

"I'm scared -- it's like you don't even want your kids to go out of the house anymore ... because they could get sick and die," said parent Theresa Moretti.

Moretti's daughter, Jamie, goes to a school across from the one Gleavy attended. Since he came down with encephalitis, two other students from nearby have gotten sick. They have recovered but the source of the outbreak remains a mystery. In an effort to keep children safe, Rhode Island has canceled school for more than 20,000 students.

"We felt in the best interests of health and safety of the students that we would close our 26 schools for the remainder of the week," said Robert Shapiro, superintendent of schools in Warwick, R.I.

Encephalitis is a swelling of the brain. The disease is extremely rare -- about 1500 cases are reported in the U.S. each year -- but encephalitis can kill or cause serious injury, and it can be contagious.

Rhode Island officials have called in the Centers for Disease Control, hoping they can help prevent further children from falling sick.

"There could be a lot of reasons for more cases," said Dr. David Gifford, director of the state's department of public health. "One could be a greater, more virulent strain. But there are other reasons for it and that's why we have asked the CDC to investigate."