April 24, 2008
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HANOVER HEALTH DEPARTMENT TREATING INDIVIDUALS FOR MENINGOCCAL INFECTION
(HANOVER, Va)-The Hanover health department is working with the Hanover County Public School system to identify and treat individuals that may have been in close contact with a student diagnosed with a case of meningococcal infection; an infection that causes meningitis. Meningitis is a medical term for inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain.
“As part of our commitment to serve and protect the community, we felt the need to inform and treat certain individuals as a precautionary step to safeguard their health, said Kay Rankin, M.D. M.P.H. with the Chickahominy health district. “As with any health issue we are involved with, we want to encourage people to call us if they have any questions or concerns, added Dr. Rankin
The symptoms of bacterial meningitis may include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness or confusion, and/or a skin rash. People can get the organism and can carry it in their nose and throat without developing symptoms. Only a small proportion of people actually develop the disease.
The student diagnosed with the illness is being treated and is responding well. Antibiotics are generally effective in treating the infection when the disease is identified early.
Risk of transmission of meningococcal infection can be reduced by good hygiene. Persons should cover their noses and mouths when sneezing or coughing and discard used tissues promptly. Wash hands thoroughly, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, before and after eating and after coughing or sneezing. Do not share cigarettes, straws, cups, glasses, or eating utensils. Eating and drinking utensils can be used by others only after they have been washed.
For more information about meningococcal infection you can call your local health department or log onto www.vdh.virginia.gov. For any information pertaining to Hanover County Public Schools you can contact Dale Theakston at either 804 365-4528 or email her at dtheakston@hcps.us.
