Medford, Ore- Jackson County health workers say one confirmed case and one suspected case of bacterial meningitis have been discovered at Hedrick Middle School and Hoover Elementary School respectively. Jackson County Public Health is actively working with the schools to notify parents, identify people who may have been exposed and provide children who were exposed with antibiotics.
At this point, health workers don’t know what type of bacterial meningitis the students have. The vaccine does not protect against the most common type of the disease in Oregon, so parents should be extra cautious.
Bacterial meningitis lives in the noses and throats of five to 10 percent of the population. It only causes serious disease when it enters the blood stream and spreads through the body. The disease is characterized by an acute fever, headache, weakness and rash. The rash often appears in areas where elastic puts pressure on the skin, such as underwear and sock lines. In infants and small children, fever and vomiting may be the only symptoms.
Jackson County Public Health is releasing more information Wednesday morning at 11:30. Check back with NBC5 for updates.
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