NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Norfolk Department of Public Health said Thursday it is investigating a bacterial meningitis case.
This comes just two days after Hampton school officials confirmed that a student attending Francis Asbury Elementary School died from meningitis.
The Norfolk Department of Public Health noted that the bacteria are spread person-to-person through respiratory and throat secretions, and not by casual contact or by simply breathing air where a person with the disease has been.
Ways bacterial meningitis can spread:
- Coughing or sneezing directly into another’s face
- Kissing on the mouth
- Sharing drinks, eating utensils, cigarettes, vapes, lipstick or toothbrushes
Symptoms of meningococcal disease include:
- Sudden fever
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Altered mental status
- Light sensitivity
Other possible symptoms can include chills, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and in later stages, a dark purple, brown or black rash could appear.
Bacterial meningitis can be prevented through a vaccine, which people can receive from the Norfolk Department of Health.
During its investigations of meningitis cases, the health department seeks to identify people who were in close contact with the infected person, with steps taken to prevent further infection. Those steps include prescribing an antibiotic and providing the meningococcal vaccine.
Anyone with questions about the meningococcal vaccine can call their local health department or medical provider. For more information, go to VDH.Virginia.gov/Norfolk.
