A Crook County high school student battling meningococcal disease was taken to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland and was in critical condition Thursday.
Colby Cloutier is a 16-year-old sophomore from Prineville, described by family and friends as athletic, healthy, and an overall happy guy.
Last week, a doctor at the emergency room quickly diagnosed Cloutier with meningococcal disease after he stayed home sick from school. He was immediately flown to the pediatric intensive care unit at Legacy Emanuel.
His family said the infection spread through his bloodstream and he was heavily sedated and breathing with the assistance of breathing tubes. Doctors are battling with the fluid that continues to fill his lungs and his rising temperature.
Officials from the Crook County health department said the infection could hit anyone, and found that the strain attacking Cloutier's system could have been prevented with the meningitis vaccine.
His family said they did not know how he contracted the illness, possibly from being in a crowd of people in a closed setting.
