Mid-Del School District Confirms Case of Meningitis

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A Mid-Del School District Official confirmed a case of meningitis in the district Friday.

Doctors said they believe the Traub Elementary School pre-kindergartner's case is viral meningitis, which is less contagious and not as dangerous as bacterial meningitis, but they are still performing tests to confirm that. The bacterial version is what killed several children in Oologah last month.

Parents of Traub Elementary received a letter Friday stating a child was diagnosed with "viral meningitis today." NEWS 9 Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Mary Ann Bauman said parents should take the notice in stride.

"Remember that getting viral meningitis is not a common thing," Bauman said.

In addition to flu like symptoms there are others for both kinds of meningitis.

"You will have a high fever, stiff neck, sometimes light will bother the eyes, a significant headache because this is the inflammation around the brain and a skin rash," Bauman said.

Although the letter to parents stated the child was diagnosed with viral meningitis, in a statement Mid-Del schools said, "All preliminary information the district received indicated the diagnosis of the meningitis was viral. Conclusive results were expected today, however, results from the tests are still pending."

Bauman said that's not uncommon.

"Cultures take a period of time to develop. Usually they do a spinal tap and get a pretty good idea from the way that looks most of the time," Bauman said.

Bauman said just like avoiding the cold and flu, practicing good hygiene is the best way to prevent the spread of meningitis.

"Bacterial meningitis can kill very quickly, but I think people have to recognize it's not super common and viral meningitis does not have very severe consequences. It can but that's very rare," Bauman said.

The test results to confirm the child has viral meningitis are expected Saturday.

The Mid-Del School District released the following statement regarding the meningitis case:

"A child from Traub Elementary School was diagnosed with meningitis on Thursday, April 22. The school notified the parents of the student's classmates the same evening. On Friday, April 23, a letter was sent home to all students acknowledging a single case of meningitis. A meningitis fact sheet from the Oklahoma State Department of Health was also provided to all students.

Mid-Del Schools is in constant communication with the family of the student. The safety of all our students and staff is the priority for Mid-Del Schools."