Sonora school finds case of meningitis

A long-term substitute teacher at Sonora Elementary School has been diagnosed with meningitis, but public health officials say there is no risk to students.

In a Friday email to parents, district Superintendent Leigh Shampain assured parents the school immediately contacted the Tuolumne County Public Health Department, which is monitoring the teacher’s treatment.

Tuolumne County Public Health Officer Dr. Todd Stolp Thursday sent a letter home with students discussing the illness and prevention measures.
 

However, Stolp also wrote, that after carefully interviewing the substitute teacher, “it is clear that nobody at the school meets the definition of having been exposed to this particular infection, and therefore there is no need for treatment or preventative antibiotic administration to any teachers or students at this time.”

Stolp also included information in the letter about a vaccine available for children age 11 and older, which prevents against the most severe form of bacterial meningitis.

According to Kathy Amos, director of Public Health Nursing, the type of meningitis the teacher had is private health information that cannot be disclosed.

The biggest way to prevent against viral and bacterial meningitis is hand washing and normal hygiene practices, the health department letter said.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord and the most common causes of infection are viral or bacterial, Stolp’s letter said.

Viral meningitis is rare and does not normally spread from person to person.

Bacterial meningitis can be spread from person to person, but there must be an “exposure,” like living in the same household, kissing or mouth-to-mouth contact, or being in close contact like in a day care facility where contact between young children cannot be monitored, the health department letter said.

Symptoms of meningitis mimic the flu, the letter said.

Contact Lacey Peterson at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 588-4529.