Ethan Jaggars

324 W Cantwell Ave

Stillwater, OK 74075
(580)677-1944
ethan.jaggars@okstate.edu
October 24, 2019

Jerome Loughridge
Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services
Oklahoma State Capitol
2300 N Lincoln Blvd
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Dear Jerome Loughridge:

How important is newborn health and accessibility to disease prevention?
Newborn babies are a major part of the continuation of not only humans as a
species but also a continuation of our own families. March of Dimes found through
the census that, “In 2016, there were 52,592 live births in Oklahoma.” This is a
large number of infants to enter this world and this number will only get bigger as
time goes on. Viral encephalitis is an inflammation of brain tissues that can result
from a virus infection. This inflammation can affect all ages but has greater effect
on elderly and infants with devastating symptoms if not treated or diagnosed early.
I hope I can provide some insight and background to this and convince you to
make a change for early detection and prevention.
Viral encephalitis is firstly identifiable by the virus or disease present in the patient
first. Sarah Ringold states after research on the inflammation that herpes simplex
virus type 1 is the most common cause of encephalitis. Sarah also states that other
major viruses like West Nile can cause this inflammation through easily
transmitting bugs like mosquitos. While these are not common within Oklahoma
encephalitis still affects a portion of our population.
Encephalitis in common cases is not lethal or has permanent damage to patients.
Encephalitis however at the extreme levels can cause permanent brain damage,
physical problems, or death. While major symptoms of encephalitis are rare they
can cause not only the patient but the family troubles financially but more
importantly, mentally. The Victoria government for health states that acute
encephalitis will be gone within a week or two but some viruses may cause more
extreme symptoms over others. Blood test are a major part of early detection for
diseases, disorders and conditions in newborns today. MRIs are another option for
scanning for encephalitis while this is an extreme measure, in case of possible viral
infection this will also check for coloring in the specific regions of the brain.
According to Oklahoma government’s health website, Oklahoma does not screen
or look for early signs of viral infections in infants that were possibly passed on by
the mother while impregnated. This also does not check for early signs of
encephalitis which is a major risk as stated before, can cause permanent brain
damage to the child. Blood test being a major part of early screening, adding
another check to the list to help a young boy or girl live a fulfilled and happy life is
a step in the right direction for health and human services.
Personally, I have been affected by this inflammation outbreak. My older sister
named Bailey Jaggars received early viral encephalitis. She was majorly paralyzed
and mentally handicapped from brain damage caused by the inflammation. This
gave a hard life not only for my mom and dad financially to report her to the
hospital routinely for check-ups but also emotionally to care for her and not being
able to help her as much as they tried. She later passed away at the age of 9 in the
hospital. I hope to see a day where parents, loved ones, and patients will not have
to go through this hardship and can be easily detected and prevented.
I ask you Mr. Loughridge, do you believe all children should have the same chance
to live a fulfilled life as anyone else? I hope I sparked an interest into the situation
and see the problem that early screening in Oklahoma currently is in. Whether the
encephalitis is from measles, west nile, rubella, influenza, type 1 or even type 6
herpes, I hope that a child is offered early treatment to prevent brain damage and I
hope you think the same. If you have looked into the issue and take interest, I
would be glad speak and assist you with the issue from a personal standpoint. I
appreciate your time and consideration to read my letter of concern of current
health issues. Have an amazing rest of your day best wishes as Oklahoma’s
Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Sincerely,

Ethan Jaggars
 Works Cited
Ringold, Sarah, et al. “Viral Encephalitis.” Jama, vol. 294, no. 4, 2005, p. 514.,
doi:10.1001/jama.294.4.514.
“Oklahoma Newborn Screening.” Disorders Screened - Oklahoma State Department of Health,
Oklahoma State Department of Health, 2019,
www.ok.gov/health/Family_Health/Screening_&_Special_Services/Newborn
_Scree ning_Program/Disorders_Screened/index.html.
Silva, Marcus Tulius T. “Viral Encephalitis.” Arquivos De Neuro-Psiquiatria, vol. 71, no.
9B, 2013, pp. 703–709., doi:10.1590/0004-282x20130155.
“Oklahoma.” Peristats | March of Dimes, March of Dimes,
www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/ViewSubtopic.aspx?reg=40&top=2&s
top=1&lev=1&slev=4&obj=1.
Department of Health & Human Services. “Viral Encephalitis.” Better Health
Channel, Department of Health & Human Services, 31 Mar. 2014,
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/viral-encephalitis.