Teacher Being Treated for Bacterial Meningitis at Snow Hill Elementary

Hamilton County (WDEF) – The Health Department says that an elementary school teacher is being treated for bacterial meningitis.

The victim teaches at Snow Hill Elementary in Harrison.

Bacterial meningitis can cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord or a serious blood infection.

Health department officials are working with the victim and school officials to notify people who could have been exposed.

They say everyone has now been contacted and given antibiotic treatments.

Health Officer Dr. Valeria Boaz says “The chances of catching bacterial meningitis from an infected person are low. However, because of the potential seriousness of this illness, we want to take every precautionary step we can by providing protective treatment to all close contacts.”

Bacterial meningitis is spread by close and prolonged exposure to an infected person.

“Close contact means within coughing or sneezing distance for more than a few hours,” says Dr. Boaz.

You do not need antibiotics if you did not have prolonged exposure to the teacher.

The symptoms are onset of fever, intense headache, nausea and often vomiting, stiff neck, and frequently rash.

They can develop 1-10 days after being exposed.

If you have more questions, call the Health Department at 209-8190, Monday-Friday, 8AM-4PM.

On the weekends and after hours, please call 209-8010 to reach the nurse on-call.