THE FACE OF ANN ARBOR VOLUME 4, NUMBER 41

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St. Joseph Mercy treating meningitis cases

Total of 41 cases reported across U.S.
By Amy Bell
A2 Journal

The Michigan Department of Community Health recently released its most recent numbers in the multistate fungal meningitis outbreak. As of Friday, Michigans case count of individuals associated with the meningitis investigation is 41 cases total, including one epidural abscess, one joint infection, 39 cases of meningitis, and three deaths, according to the MDCH.

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 214 cases in 14 states, with 15 deaths. Since the beginning of the meningitis outbreak, St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor has seen 40 confirmed cases. Included in that count are two discharges, one joint infection and one death that was previously reported, said Lauren Smoker, spokeswoman for the hospital system. Lakshmi Halasyamani, chief medical officer of St. Joseph Mercy Hospitals, said the patients range in condition from good to stable to serious. Facilities within the health system are coordinating their efforts to treat

patients who go to their primary care physician or emergency room departments with symptoms of meningitis while also adhering to U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommendations, she said. Halasyamani emphasized that although the hospital is treating several patients who have meningitis, they did not receive it from an injection at any St. Joseph Mercy Health System site. The outbreak stems from steroid injections manufactured at the New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Mass. The injections were sent out to facilities throughout the United States, including four in Michigan. The

steroid is used for chronic pain, primarily in the back. Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Pete Barkey, spokesman for the University of Michigan Health System, confirmed a patient died at UMHS in late September from meningitis attributed to the medication. The identity of the individual could not be released. Clinics within the health system have been advised to remain on alert for patients with symptoms of meningitis, he said. According to ClickOnDetroit, Lyn LaPerriere of Milan is one of the cases confirmed in Michigan.

LaPerriere is currently hospitalized with meningitis after receiving an annual steroid injection two weeks ago from his doctor due to bulging discs. According to ClickOnDetroit, LaPerrire was taken to the hospital after suffering from severe headaches due to the meningitis. According to a press release from Chelsea Community Hospital, patients who received spinal steroid injections at Chelsea hospital, any St. Joseph Mercy Health System hospital, or one of their associated pain clinics are not at risk for this type of meningitis because
PLEASE SEE HEALTH/3-A

On the RAIL

Sports
Thomas leads Pioneer to victory in rivalry game tainted by postgame ght.

Page 1-C

ON THE WEB

Star Wars Reads Day

Star Wars Reads Day provided more than an opportunity to read childrens books Oct. 6 at Barnes and Noble bookstore in Ann Arbor. About 200 guests, many in costume, stopped by the bookstore. Boys were treated to Anakin sashes and braids, and the girls were given jeweled headpieces and face painted to resemble Padme Amidala. All children posed for pictures with Princess Leia, Stormtroopers, Sandtroopers, Jedi masters and more. Authors Chris Trevas, John Ostrander, Chris Scalf and Joe Corroney joined in on the fun, answering questions and sharing about illustrating the fantastic Millennium Falcon and other publications.

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Race heating up in Fifth Ward

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By Jim Pruitt
A2 Journal

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respective primaries. In Ward 5, Democrat Chuck Warpehoski will face Republican Stuart Berry. They both responded and their answers are as follows.

Two contested races face Ann Arbor city voters in the Nov. 6 election. Incumbent mayor John Hieftje is being challenged by independent candidate Albert Howard. Neither candidate responded to our questionnaire. Wards 1, 2, 3 and 4 are all uncontested with Democrats Sumi Kailasapathy, Sally Hart Petersen, Christopher Taylor and Margie Teall on the ballot, respectively. Teall and Taylor are incumbents. Kailasapathy, Petersen and Teall all won their

Ann Arbor City Council Ward 5

Chuck Warpehoski Ann Arbor Occupation: Director of the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice. Education: Bachelors degree in sociology with honors from Grinnell College, Iowa, 2001. Party: Democrat Age: 34 Previous elected experience: None. Current public or community service: Adopt-a-Park coordinator, Winewood-Thaler and

Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, Ann Arbor District Advisory Council. Why are you running for office? I care about my community and want to serve it. I bring to the race strong progressive values, a commitment to listening and inclusion, and community leadership experience. I believe this combination is well suited to serve the residents of the Fifth Ward and the members of the Ann Arbor community. What are three key issues that you are seeking to deal with if elected? Preserve and improve city services: As I talk with residents throughout the Fifth Ward, the top concerns I hear are about core city services such as police and fire, safe streets, trash and recycling pickup, park upkeep, street mainte-

nance, and plowing. These services are the citys primary responsibility to the community, and preserving and improving them would be a top concern for me if elected. In my career in Ann Arbor as a community organizer, I work with and advocate for people whose voices are often left out of the political process. Beyond a general focus on providing essential services, I will consider social equity in city decision-making -- government should serve all citizens, not just the loudest or most influential. Promote responsive government: Government should serve the community, and I will work to ensure high standards of responsiveness for Ann Arbor. Responsive government must provide high-quality customer service whether

youre paying your water bill or building a deck. Lets tap our citizens experience and skills to celebrate what we are doing well, and to identify and improve where we are not adequately serving our community. Likewise, responsive government actively gathers community input from a broad range of voices, before acting. Too often, citizens learn about issues only after key decisions have already been made. We can do better. As a member of the City Council, I would work to improve communications between the community and its representatives, in both directions. Support healthy neighborhoods and a vibrant downtown: Basic services like police, fire, street maintenance, and trash and
PLEASE SEE FIFTH/8-A

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