Important Health Information for Families
The Warren County Health Department (WCHD) has notified Lebanon High School that a high school student was diagnosed with Meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease is a type of bacterial infection caused by a germ called Neisseria meningitidis. Invasive meningococcal infections include most commonly meningitis, and less commonly conjunctivitis, pneumonia, occult bacteremia, septic arthritis or chronic meningococcemia.
Information from WCHD states that Neisseria meningitidis can be found in an infected person’s nose and mouth. Direct prolonged contact with an infected individual is required for infection to be spread to others. Examples of the types of direct, prolonged contact are: roommates, household contacts, kissing and sharing objects contaminated with saliva such as drinks, water bottles, lipstick/lip balm, cigarette/vaping products, and foods or eating utensils. Symptoms of meningococcal disease are non-specific but may include sudden onset of fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, joint pain, a rash of red-purple spots or bruises, dislike of bright lights, nausea and vomiting.
Any person who is considered to be a high risk close contact has already been notified by WCHD. High risk contacts include roommates, household contacts and those who have had direct contact with the case’s oral secretions, through kissing and sharing objects contaminated with saliva such as drinks, water bottles, lipstick/lip balm, cigarette/vaping products, and foods or eating utensils. A short course of antibiotics is recommended for high-risk contacts within 24 hours of diagnosis of the case. If you have not been contacted by the health district, your child has not been identified as a high-risk contact. Persons only having casual contact such as school or work mates are low risk contacts. Low risk contacts are asked to watch for symptoms through March 23.
Routine vaccination for meningococcal disease typically happens for adolescents aged 11-12 and a booster at ages 16-18 years. If you are unsure whether your child has been vaccinated, check with your physician. If your child has never had the vaccine for meningitis and you wish to have your child vaccinated, please contact your physician. The Warren County Health Department also has vaccines available.
For further information on Meningococcal Disease, visit the CDC's website here or call the Warren County Health Department at (513) 695-2097 or contact your child's school nurse - contact information can be found on this page.
