Fort Good Hope (Dec 08/03) - Residents of Fort Good Hope are reeling after two teenage girls from the community died within a week of each other from unrelated diseases.

Rare and deadly Up to five per cent of Canadians are carriers of the meningococcal bacteria that caused Ashley Jones' death, said Dr. Andre Corriveau, NWT chief health officer. "Most people would have no idea they have it," he said. "But it's a fairly rare situation when someone actually gets the disease." The bacteria hangs out at the back of the throat or inside the nose without causing any harm. It's spread through saliva. Kissing and sharing water bottles is how it is most often spread, said Corriveau. If one's immune system is depressed and the bacteria gets into the blood stream, it usually heads for the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, causing meningitis. Most people recover completely from meningitis if it's caused by the viral form but meningitis caused by bacteria, such as the one that afflicted Jones, is often fatal, said Corriveau. If the person doesn't die, they often have brain damage or loose their eyesight. About 50 per cent of those who get bacterial meningitis will die. The bacterial version is most common in teenagers and young adults because they are often in close proximity, said Corriveau. The best way to stop the spread is by not sharing drinks, utensils or anything else saliva has touched. Vaccines and antibiotics are also available to help stop it from spreading. The Fort Good Hope health centre started immunizing anyone under 20 last week.

Fifteen-year-old Ashley Jones died, literally overnight, from a rare meningococcal bacteria infection, Nov. 29.

Four days later, a 13-year-old girl died in Edmonton from a brain tumor she had been battling for more than two years. Her name has been withheld by request of her parents.

"It's been a very difficult week," said Graham Wood, the principal at Fort Good Hope's Chief T'Selihye school.

"I think (the students) are taking it quite hard. It brings up a lot of old memories."

The school, with 160 students enrolled from kindergarten to Grade 12, was closed for mourning Dec. 1 to 3. It re-opened Dec. 4.

Ashley began feeling ill on a Friday evening 10 days ago. She was admitted to the nursing station the following morning where she died at 10:30 a.m.

Her body was flown to Edmonton for an autopsy where the meningococcal bacteria was found in her adrenal gland.

Death inevitable

Dr. Andre Corriveau, chief health officer for the NWT, said Ashley's death was inevitable once the bacteria entered her bloodstream.

"If (the bacteria) gains access to the blood system then it moves really quickly, as in this case where Friday she was feeling unwell and by Saturday morning she was dead," said Corriveau.

"It's universally fatal if it hits the adrenal glands. Nothing could have been done even if she lived beside the Health Sciences Centre in Edmonton."

Although rare, Ashley's case is the second reported meningococci case in Fort Good Hope since 1998.

The second attack by the disease put health workers into high gear, said Corriveau.

All students at Chief T'Selihye who had close contact with Ashley were immediately given antibiotics followed by immunization shots last Thursday.

"Delightful" is one of the first words that comes to mind when teacher Bruce Patey thinks of Ashley Jones.

"(Her greatest qualities) are her personality, her beautiful smile and her acceptance of the people around her," said Patey, who has been a family friend and neighbour for four years.

Confident girl

"She was a confident of many young girls. The Jones' home was always a beehive of activity when she was home," said Patey.

Ashley's family moved to Fort Good Hope from Baker Lake about eight years ago.

Her father, Vince Jones, is also a teacher at Chief T'Selihye school.

Both her parents are originally from the east coast.

A crisis intervention team began working with students last week.

The school's cleaning schedule will also become more regimental than usual, said Wood.

A memorial service for Ashley will be held at the school on Wednesday.

A funeral service was held Dec. 4 in Edmonton. Her family will remain in Edmonton until tomorrow.

A memorial service for the 13-year-old girl will be held this week at the Roman Catholic mission.