Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

FORT GOOD HOPE (Jul 13/98) - Fears of a meningitis outbreak in Fort Good Hope have subsided since nurses, social workers and environmental health workers left the community July 9.

The medical team rushed to the Sahtu community from Inuvik and other communities July 3 after 19-year-old Kevin Kakfwi died of meningitis hours after he went to the community nursing station with a then-unknown serious illness.

The medical team sent to Fort Good Hope examined several cases where people left the community and were successful in keeping the spread of meningitis at bay.

Inuvik Regional Health Board medical director Chuck MacNeil said everyone who had contact with Kakfwi has been tested so there does not seem to be any continuing danger of contagion.

"There is absolutely no risk from this case for anyone travelling into Fort Good Hope at this time whatsoever," he said.

The disease can be spread through such casual contact as kissing, sharing a cigarette or using the same glass as an infected person.

Symptoms of the contagious bacterial infection that affects the brain include sudden severe headaches, backaches and high fever.

If anyone has these symptoms they are urged to contact health officials.

Everette Kakfwi, Kevin's step-uncle, said the community is still reeling from the death.

"He was an easy- going young man who was friendly with most of the elders and those his age and younger," Everette said.

"I knew him to be quite outgoing with his friends. Some elders are saying, 'there goes a young man who provided us meat in the winter and ducks in the summer."

A memorial service was held in Fort McPherson July 8 and the people in Fort Good Hope are still planning details of whether to hold a similar service in the community.

Kakfwi is survived by his step parents Tommy and Shirley Kakfwi and siblings Renita and Dale.