Officials Suspect Dickinson ISD Employee Has Meningitis

Fox News 26 Coverage
Updated: Tuesday, 11 Oct 2011, 5:26 PM CDT
Published : Tuesday, 11 Oct 2011, 5:25 PM CDT

HOUSTON - Health officials suspect a Dickinson ISD employee has meningococcal meningitis.

The Galveston County Health District is waiting for test results to confirm or deny their suspicions. They should be available by the end of the week.

In the meantime, the school district has sent letters informing parents, students and employees of the situation.

You can help by taking proper precautions. Meningococcal meningitis is spread through direct contact to nose and throat fluids.

That means:

-- No kissing
-- No coughing
-- No sharing utensils
-- No drinking after an infected person

Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, stiff neck, lethargy, nausea, vomiting and purple skin rash. If any of these symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately.

(News Media: For more information contact Kurt Koopmann, GCHD Public Information Officer, 409-938-2211 or kkoopman@gchd.org)