MENDOCINO COUNTY — Mendocino County Public Health officials Wednesday reported a 2-year-old child from Willits was hospitalized with a suspected diagnosis of bacterial meningitis.
The diagnosis is pending lab results and is not confirmed at this time. Public Health nurses contacted everyone thought to be in close contact with the child and provided them with information on symptoms and preventative treatment. Approximately 60 people received antibiotics, which significantly reduce the risk of becoming ill.
The bacterial meningitis meningococcemia is caused by bacteria known as Neisseria meningitidis. The bacteria frequently live in a person”s upper respiratory tract without causing visible signs of illness.
Meningococcemia is usually spread through close contact. The bacteria are present in the saliva and mucous of the person who has the disease and can be passed on to someone who has direct contact with the oral or nasal excretions, such as coughing, sneezing or kissing, of the infected person.
However, the bacteria can only survive very briefly outside of the body so it is unlikely to be passed through the handling of objects.
The incubation period of meningococcemia lasts from two to 10 days. The disease occurs mainly in children, but may also occur among adults, especially those in overcrowded spaces. Cases are usually contained among members of a household who have close contact with each other.
Symptoms include irritability, fever, headache, sensitivity to light, altered consciousness and rash with red or purple spots on the abdomen and extremities.
A pre-exposure bacterial meningitis vaccine is available for people ages 11 to 55. For any questions regarding exposure of meningitis, contact Mendocino Public Health Services at 472-2600.
For more information on bacterial meningitis, visit the section on meningococcemia on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/meningitis/about/faq.html#b.
