Meningitis cases multiply

Health officials report Frontier students recovering, second case of viral meningitis reported in ML

MOSES LAKE — Nearly two weeks after the Grant County Health District received word of two separate cases of meningitis at Frontier Middle School, one bacterial and the other viral, another case of viral meningitis has been reported in Moses Lake.

Peggy Grigg, director of personal health services with GCHD, said this latest case of viral meningitis was found in a Moses Lake resident, who Grigg says is not a student at Frontier Middle School. The case was reported earlier this week.

This is the most current case of meningitis that the health district is aware of and health officials do not know if there is any connection to the cases reported at Frontier.

Grigg said she was told the status of both students who were diagnosed with separate cases of meningitis earlier this month at Frontier Middle School are recovering and one has been released from the hospital.

If a connection is found between this most current case and those reported at Frontier "it would be an indicator that the virus is in the community and is transferable," Grigg said.

Dr. Jo Hofmann, a state epidemiologist for communicable disease with the state department of health, says what the community should be concerned about is getting to a doctor if they are ill and recognizing that bacterial and viral meningitis are two different illnesses.

"Outbreaks at this time of year are unusual and people should not be overly concerned, but if they feel they are sick they should see a healthcare provider," Hofmann said. "Bacterial meningitis is completely unrelated to meningitis caused by viruses which are mild illnesses."

Meningitis, an infection of the spinal cord fluid and the brain, can be caused by viral or bacterial infection. Symptoms of meningitis can include a high fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and drowsiness.

The viral version is generally less severe and resolves without special treatment, while bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss or learning disabilities.

Grigg wants to remind the public that continuing basic health hygiene such as washing hands, covering mouths and refraining from sharing personal items will help minimize the risk of transference.

"Stay home when you're sick and don't send children to school who are ill," advised Grigg.