Marcus Garvey Academy reopened; Haemophilus influenzae confirmed in 4

The Detroit Health Department has confirmed four cases of a bacterial infection at a Detroit school that closed temporarily last week because of an increase in illnesses among an undisclosed number of children.

The Detroit Health Department identified the illness as Haemophilus influenzae disease found in the four people from Marcus Garvey Academy, with the cases limited to a single classroom. The school had closed last week as city health and school district officials said it was to undergo a deep cleaning and for families to monitor their children's symptoms. The Health Department has not said how many people overall were sickened.

Haemophilus influenzae, a type of bacteria, can cause different kinds of infections ranging from mild, such as ear infections, to serious, such as bloodstream infections, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some of the infections can be invasive, meaning the bacteria invades parts of the body that are normally free from germs. A few of the more common types of invasive disease caused by H. influenzae are pneumonia, bloodstream infection and meningitis, according to the CDC. Symptoms depend on the part of the body that is infected.

The CDC states that people spread H. influenzae through respiratory droplets, often launched by coughing or sneezing. Others can get sick if they breathe in those droplets, according to the agency.

People who are not sick but have the bacteria in their noses and throats also can spread it. The disease occurs mostly in children younger than 5 and adults 65 and older, as well as those with certain medical conditions, according to the CDC.

The Detroit Health Department continues to investigate the illnesses at the school, which reopened Monday.

More:Marcus Garvey Academy in Detroit closed for cleaning after high rate of flu-like symptoms

The Detroit Public Schools Community District said last week the school had experienced "an unusually high rate of flu-like symptoms, including student fevers, and vomiting, namely at the early grade levels."

More:Ingham County child is Michigan's 1st influenza-related pediatric death this season

It also said a kindergartner at Marcus Garvey died, but the medical examiner has not determined the child's cause of death.

Jimari Williams, 6, died April 26 at a hospital, Tiffani Jackson, communications director for Wayne County, said last week. She said the cause and manner of his death were not apparent from the autopsy and — as of Tuesday — routine toxicology tests were pending.

The CDC said people should stay up to date with recommended vaccines, wash hands often and avoid close contact with people who are sick. Vaccines can prevent Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease, but the vaccine does not prevent disease caused by other types of H. influenzae, according to the agency.

The Detroit Health Department said it offers vaccinations to children and adults to protect against many childhood diseases. For information, call 313-876-4667 or go to www.detroitmi.gov/health. Vaccinations also are available at pediatric centers and primary care providers.

Contact Christina Hall: [email protected] Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter.

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