Bristow Second Grader Has Meningitis

Saturday, March 24th 2007, 3:36 pm

By: News On 6

Parents in Bristow are on high alert after a second grader is diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis attacks the fluid around the brain and spinal cord and can be fatal. The News On 6â€™s Joshua Brakhage reports many people carry the bacteria and never show any symptoms.

Just before Bristow cut Spring Break short to make up for snow days, a second grader at Edison Elementary found out he had bacterial meningitis, a potentially deadly disease. The Health Department says classmates of the infected student shouldn't worry, it's only those folks who have close personal contact with the child that are at higher risk, like those who may eat or drink after him. Still, some concerned parents have been calling so the Health Department is offering antibiotics to all the boy's classmates.

"They can come to the Health Department and receive that medication, but it's not something that's recommended by the State Department of Health," said Kristie Harris with the Creek County Health Department. "We've had six cases in the state of Oklahoma this year."

Other than the Creek County case there have been two in Oklahoma County, one in Rogers County, and two in Payne County. Both of those were OSU students.

Health experts say once someone gets started on antibiotics, this strain of meningitis is fatal less than 15% of the time.

For more information about meningitis, what it is and how it prevent it from spreading click here.

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