Thursday, May 5, 2016

Press Release from KCHD

Officials at the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department have confirmed they are investigating a possible case of bacterial meningitis. The patient is a student at Nitro High School. KCHD officials were made aware of the case on Thursday morning and immediately instituted an investigation.

According to Dr. Michael Brumage, health officer for the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department and the Putnam County Health Department, there appears to be no connection between this patient and one diagnosed earlier in Cabell County.

“Bacterial meningitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “is serious and can be deadly. Death can occur in as little as a few hours. While most people with meningitis recover, permanent disabilities such as brain damage, hearing loss and learning disabilities can result from the infection.”

The germs that cause bacterial meningitis are spread from person to person. Some bacteria can spread by exchanging of respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit) during close (for example, coughing or kissing) or lengthy contact, especially if living in the same household. Fortunately, most of the bacteria that cause meningitis are not as contagious as viruses that cause the common cold or the flu. The bacteria are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with bacterial meningitis has been.

Meningitis symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache and stiff neck. There are often additional symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, an increased sensitivity to light and confusion. Those who think they may have meningitis should immediately contact their health care providers.

To help decrease the chance of spreading the bacteria that cause meningitis, antibiotics may be recommended for close contacts of a person with meningitis and family members of a person who develops a serious meningitis infection. KCHD will work with family members and school officials to determine who needs to receive these drugs.

Anyone with questions should contact the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department at 304-348-1088.