3 cases of meningitis - Ga., Mich., Florida

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index.php?smp=&lang=eng


An undergraduate student at Georgia Southern University residing off-campus was diagnosed with suspected bacterial meningitis. He was treated with prophylactic medication and immediately transported to the East Georgia Regional Medical Center for additional testing and treatment. Initial testing indicates the student does have bacterial meningitis and additional testing is being conducted to confirm the diagnosis. The general public is not at risk and only those who had close contact with the individual should be treated with antibiotics. No other cases have been reported at this time and the student is responding well to treatment and is expected to recover.

The Bulloch County Department of Public Health has been notified and appropriate infection control measures are being taken to contain further infection. It is important to note that the student in question only had close personal contact with a limited number of individuals. The University and the Bulloch County Public Health Infection Control staff are working to identify any additional persons that may have come into contact with this student. The infected student's roommate and those in close personal contact have been notified and are being treated with prophylactic medication, as have all University staff involved with the student's treatment. Georgia Southern University's Department of Health Services continues to monitor the situation and is working with the Bulloch County Department of Public Health to ensure that every effort is made to ensure that the situation is contained to those already identified. The Georgia Southern University Department of Health Service will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 10 to manage any student, faculty or staff concerns. )
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Lapeer East High School received confirmation late Wednesday of a physician-diagnosed case of bacterial meningitis in a 15-year-old student. The school district was contacted by the Lapeer County Health Department of the confirmed case and sent letters home with students. "We followed directions from the health department," said Lapeer Community Schools Superintendent Debbie Thompson. "Transmittal (of meningitis) is fluid to fluid." According to the Lapeer County Health Department, bacterial meningitis is an infection caused by bacteria that can be passed from one person to another by direct contact with discharges from the mouth, throat, and nose. It is not spread through the air. However, it can be spread by kissing, sharing drinking glasses or pop bottles and other contact from exposure to saliva or mucus. Preventive antibiotics are recommended only for those who have had direct contact with the student's saliva or mucus. For those who have not yet been vaccinated against the disease, there is one available. It is recommended for high school and college students. Stephanie Simmons, Lapeer County Health Department director and health officer, said there is a limited amount of the vaccine available there. The vaccine may also be obtained at physician's offices. "We're encouraging hand washing for kids and to be aware of it," Simmons said. "A certain amount of kids will carry it." The health department said symptoms of bacterial meningitis include the sudden onset of a fever (between 100 and 104 degrees), intense headache, nausea, vomiting, and a stiff or very painful neck. Those with these symptoms are urged to call their doctor or go to the emergency room.)
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A teacher at a Collier County high school is hospitalized after being diagnosed with viral meningitis. The unidentified teacher, who works at Gulf Coast High School, is expected to make a full recovery and health officials say that the risk to kids is low. "Because of the circumstances of this case, the Collier County Health Department does not believe there is a health risk to the students," said Deb Milsap, who works for the Collier County Health Department. The Health Department says that viral meningitis is not normally transmitted from one student to another in a classroom or school setting. Milsap added that most people do not contract the disease, even if exposed to it. Officials are not recommending any "medical intervention" for students in the teacher's classes or for other students at Gulf Coast. However, the School district is sending letters home with students on Friday to explain what is going on and keep parents informed. Health experts point out that this is not the same as bacterial or meningococcal meningitis, which can be more serious. According to the Health Department, the viral meningitis virus is primarily spread by direct contact with respiratory secretions of an infected person (kissing, sneezing, coughing, sharing eating utensils). Symptoms include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to bright lights, drowsiness, nausea and/or vomiting.)
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I'm sorry, I don't understand the significance of these events (other than to the individuals involved, of course).

:shrug:

seemed unusual

...was viral anyway.

he is 13 and I think now I will have him get it for high school. This is one scary disease.