All three have responded well to treatment and have already been discharged from hospital.
AFL listed players Jarrad Redden and John Butcher were admitted to hospital on the weekend, but have also subsequently been released and are feeling considerably better.
Port Adelaide medical staff has informed players and staff that Viral Meningitis is a nasty, highly infectious virus. As such the club is responding quickly and aggressively to eradicate the virus from the club facility, if indeed it exists there, and ensure that the cycle of infection is halted before any staff or other players are affected.
Port Adelaide chief medical officer Dr Mark Fisher says the club has been in contact with the Communicable Disease branch of the South Australian Department of Health who have indicated that this is a typical winter outbreak of the virus.
“What has occurred here at Port Adelaide is a typical community outbreak that is not unusual within a small community environment like a football club,” Dr Fisher said.
“This virus is particularly prevalent within the community at this time of the year and it is most likely that someone has brought it into the club and it has spread from there.
“The common signs of viral meningitis include severe flu-like symptoms, headache and nausea.
“The good news is that John Butcher and Jarrad Redden are both out of hospital and on the mend resting at home. We would expect them to remain away from the club for the next seven to ten days.
“And our three Magpie players who were diagnosed in the last 48 hours have all progressed very well and are already home recuperating.”
Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas says the club has been vigilant since learning of the virus.
“Our club Doctors are managing the health and support of all AFL and SANFL players as well as all the staff at the Port Adelaide Football Club,” Mr Thomas said.
“We sought immediate advice from two Infectious Disease experts from the Health Services Department who provided comprehensive recommendations to achieve a best practice response to this situation and protect our staff and players in the future.
“These recommendations were immediately implemented. We contracted the ISS team from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital to conduct a ‘hospital strength’ cleansing of the entire AFL and SANFL training environment, plus the administration area. This cleansing process has now been completed.”
Mr Thomas says all staff, players and players’ parents have been fully briefed about the situation and any staff member or player with any sign of illness has been instructed to see a doctor and stay home until they have fully recovered.
Mr Thomas affirmed that the club will significantly increase the frequency and voracity of its facility cleansing regime.
“Port Adelaide’s facility management procedures are already at AFL standard and although this virus is most likely to have been brought in from outside the club environment, it is clear that a fastidious commitment to our hygiene protocols is the best defence against the spread of infection,” Mr Thomas said.
