Meningitis exposure reported near Vantage

GRANT COUNTY— Grant County Health District announced a meningitis exposure at a rave party near Vantage, occurring Aug. 21-22.

A 17-year-old male from King County attending the rave was diagnosed and hospitalized. He was reported to be in stable condition. Close contacts are being identified and advised on medical attention, according to a health district spokesperson.

Titled, ‘Operation APEX ‘09’, the rave was held at Sand Hollow campground near Vantage.

The health district encourages anyone who attended the event to contact them or see a healthcare provider immediately.

No other cases of meningitis were found, making this an isolated case, the health district reports. Some confirmatory lab results are pending.

Meningitis is a sudden illness caused by a bacterium or virus infecting the bloodstream or the meninges, a thin lining covering the brain or spinal cord. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, intense headache, stiff neck and rash, according to a health district spokesperson

It is not as contagious as the common cold or the flu. The bacteria can be spread to those having close or prolonged contact with an infected person, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.

About 12 percent of infections are fatal, even with appropriate antibiotic treatment. Complications from meningitis occur in 20 percent of survivors and include hearing loss, skin scarring or amputation of fingers, toes, or limbs.

A vaccine is available through a health care provider, but does not protect someone already exposed, according to a health district spokesperson.