Back from death's door

Mark Noot sits beside a specially modified pickup truck that allows him to drive to Conestoga College. Noot survived a bout with meningitis which almost killed him.

Michelle (Risi)

Melissa (Maharaj)

Sukdip (Binning)

A year after the meningitis outbreak in Waterloo Region, the physical and emotional scars remain from the deadly infection that claimed two lives, left two others as amputees and triggered the community's largest-ever immunization campaign.

In all, seven young people -- five region residents and two visitors -- were stricken during the outbreak that began early last December and kept the community on edge for two months.

Anxious parents lined up their children at immunization clinics held in schools and community centres through the holiday period.

More than 123,000 people, most between the ages of two and 22, were vaccinated between Dec. 20 and Jan. 24.

Dealing with the outbreak was a real community effort, Dr. Ron Sax, the region's medical officer of health, recalled.

"It was exhausting" for community health department staff, many of whom worked long hours seven days a week for two months.

"But there were literally hundreds of people who were working and volunteering beyond the health department . . . The response was overwhelming."

The chances of another meningitis outbreak in the region are remote, Sax said. "It's a frightening disease, but it's quite rare. The chances of it recurring in the next three to five years is lessened because we have immunized so many people."

More than 91 per cent of the eligible population took the protective shots, which confer immunity for three to five years.

Last December, public health authorities were kept busy explaining that meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection that attacks the lining of the brain and the spinal cord.

The bacteria are relatively common, and the vast majority of people who come into contact with them don't get sick. It is not known why some people are more susceptible.

It is contagious and more common in children than adults.

Antibiotics can stop the spread of infection if administered immediately. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, nausea and vomiting, a stiff neck and sensitivity to light.

The infection attacks suddenly and swiftly. In 10 per cent of cases, death can occur in as little as 24 hours.

The outbreak's first victim was Michelle Risi of Kitchener, a talented 16-year-old on her way to a promising acting career. She died Dec. 4, just two days after experiencing flu-like symptoms.

"It is still a shock. It still hurts like yesterday," her mother, Theresa Risi, said this week. "It's been a sorrowful year with a lot of pain. We miss her every day."

The family plans to mark the anniversary of Michelle's death with a church service and a visit to her grave.

Shortly before Michelle's death, Risi learned she was pregnant. Michelle was excited about finally having a sibling and she bought the baby a snowsuit.

Matteo was born in June. "His birth was bittersweet," Risi said. "He's got Michelle's eyes, her smile and her spirit. He's truly a gift from God. We really believe he's here to mend broken hearts."

Risi left Michelle's room untouched, but recently the family decided to sell their home and move for "a new beginning."

At Resurrection Catholic Secondary School where Michelle was in Grade 11, students are wearing blue ribbons in her memory this week. The school is also holding a meningitis awareness week and collecting money for meningitis research at Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital.

"That has always been my great hope -- that Michelle didn't die in vain," Risi said.

Melissa Maharaj, 18, was the second Kitchener teenager to succumb. She died Dec. 31.

Her life was marked by academic excellence, a variety of musical talents and an enthusiasm for synchronized swimming. She had planned a career in sports medicine.

"It's still very hard for us to talk about it," her mother, Susan Maharaj, said. "It has been a very hard year. We're dealing with it as best we can."

Forest Heights Collegiate Institute, where Melissa was an OAC student, planted a tree and established a scholarship in her memory.

"She was always a great achiever," Maharaj said of her daughter. "I was surprised she had touched so many lives."

Melissa had been vaccinated days before she fell ill with flu-like symptoms, but health officials explained the vaccine needs 10 to14 days to take effect.

Two other young people survived the ravages of the indiscriminate infection but paid a price.

Mark Noot's terrifying battle with meningitis began Dec. 12. Within a 24-hour period, the 23-year-old Winterbourne man went from a sore throat to no feeling in his legs, which turned black with gangrene before his eyes.

While he was unconscious and on life support, both legs were amputated above the knee. He also lost parts of four fingers.

Given the challenges he faced and those still ahead, his attitude and recovery are remarkable.

"Things were pretty bad, but they're looking up now," Noot said. "I'm still adjusting, but things are coming together. There's no sense being down."

Noot came home from hospital in March. While still in hospital, he continued work toward his electrician's licence and passed exams in May.

Then he put his skills to work on the extension that was built on his parents' home to make it more accessible for him.

He is learning to walk with prosthetic legs. "You don't just put them on and away you go," Noot said. "It's a lot of hard work.

His car is equipped with hand controls and he drives himself to Conestoga College, where he resumed his electrical studies this fall.

"Lots of support and keeping busy got me through," Noot said. "I can't handle sitting around. I never could."

Sukdip Binning, a fourth patient, said he is lucky to be alive, but prefers not to dwell on his ordeal with meningitis.

"Just write that I'm doing fine. I don't want to say anymore. I try not to think about it too much," said Sukdip, 13, a Grade 8 student at Stanley Park Public School in Kitchener.

The nightmare for the Binning family began Dec. 13 when Sukdip developed a headache at a friend's birthday party. When he got home his parents thought he was coming down with the flu. They gave him Tylenol and put him to bed.

He collapsed the next day in intense pain and was rushed by ambulance to K-W Health Centre. His face and hands were turning black and doctors said he might not survive the night.

That evening, Sukdip was transferred to McMaster Medical Centre in Hamilton where he spent five days in intensive care. Doctors amputated his fingers at the knuckle, as well as the toes on his right foot and three toes on his left foot.

Students at Stanley Park and Crestview Public School -- which Sukdip attended from kindergarten to Grade 6 -- collected $2,000 to help pay for orthotic inserts that he needs in his shoes.

A fifth young person to contract meningitis before the outbreak was officially declared over on Feb. 9 was successfully treated, as were two from Peel Region and Guelph who had visited Waterloo Region shortly before falling ill.

Because the vaccine is not 100 per cent perfect, Sax cautions against a return to high-risk behaviour.

The bacteria are spread through saliva, which means they can be transmitted by kissing, sharing a cigarette, drink, food, cutlery or lip balm.

Typically, the health department sees three to six cases of meningitis a year, Sax said.

Three local cases have been reported this year. Two -- an infant and a woman in her 20s -- made a full recovery.

The third, a woman in her 50s, died in October of other causes. An autopsy revealed that she also had meningitis.