Genoa M.S. Health Notification

12/18/2012

(December 18th, 2012) According to the Delaware County Health Department, a case of aseptic (viral) meningitis has been diagnosed in the 8th grade at Genoa Middle School.

Meningitis is an irritation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms generally include fever, headache, lack of appetite, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, and stiff neck. These symptoms generally go away after a few days to a week.

The virus is present in the bowel movement and saliva of infected persons. People become infected only by swallowing the virus, either from fecal material or from respiratory droplets from infected persons. Spread of virus can be reduced and controlled with a few simple measures:

Wash your hands thoroughly after changing a diaper.
Wash your hands and your children’s hands thoroughly after using the toilet.
Wash your hands and your children’s hands thoroughly before eating.
Do not share drinking cups.

Should your child develop any of the symptoms above in the next few weeks, contact your family doctor and tell him/her that your child might have been exposed to aseptic meningitis and is now feeling unwell.

Should you have any questions about aseptic (viral) meningitis please call the Delaware General Health District at (740) 203-2040. A helpful fact sheet on viral meningitis can be found here: www.odh.ohio.gov/pdf/IDCM/menasep.pdf.

The paragraph below was taken from this site:

Athletic Teams and Bands
Outbreaks often occur among athletic teams, bands or other gatherings of young people.
Often this is the result of shared drinking containers. A person with virus in his or her saliva can contaminate the nozzle of a water bottle and spread it to other team members when the bottle is passed around. Therefore, use of shared drinking containers, water bottles, ice buckets and ice towels should always be avoided. Individual drinking cups should be provided. Hand washing after toilet use and before eating should be emphasized.

Sincerely,

Carrie Trusley, Principal
Genoa Middle School