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FLINT, MI – A Flint Primary student has been diagnosed with viral meningitis.
Officials from the Kearsley Community School District sent a letter to parents and guardians on Thursday, October 11, informing them of the illness. According to the letter, that school officials also posted on Facebook, the student has not attended school since Monday Oct. 8
"We are working closely with the Genesee County Health Department to deal with this situation," the letter says. "Under their advice, we take every precaution to ensure the safety of our students and staff, and we will follow the Ministry of Health's instructions to clean up all Kearsley Community Schools facilities tonight, in order to limit the exposure. "
The letter, signed by Superintendent Kevin Walworth, also explains that viral meningitis is "rarely serious and usually causes fewer long-term problems than the bacterial form of meningitis."
According to information posted on the Genesee County Health Department website, viral meningitis, the most common type of meningitis, is a disease characterized by swelling of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This can be caused by several types of viruses.
Symptoms of viral meningitis can include:
- Sudden onset of fever
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Sensitivity to light
- Drowsiness or confusion
It is spread by direct contact with the respiratory secretions or stool of an infected person. Symptoms usually appear three to seven days after exposure and last for about 10 days. Infected people should be isolated until they feel better and their primary care provider says that it is acceptable to go back to school and / or work.
To help prevent the spread of viral meningitis:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze and cough.
- Wash or disinfect hard surfaces and toys.
- Refrain from kissing or sharing personal items.
- Immunize children against chicken pox, measles and mumps, and have the flu shot every year.
Learn more about viral meningitis here.
In September, cases of viral meningitis were reported at Edgerton Elementary School in Clio School District and at McComb Elementary School in Caro Community Schools.
Cases of viral meningitis have been reported in two middle schools in central Michigan
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