The announcement of the meningitis case was made on the school’s Facebook page less than 24 hours after a prior post announced the death of a student. It was not made clear whether or not the student diagnosed with bacterial meningitis was the same individual as the student who died.
According to the Alaska Dispatch News, officials would not confirm whether or not the student diagnosed with meningitis has died, citing patient privacy.
“Public Health has already identified the close household contacts of this child who are at greatest risk of getting sick, and who require preventative treatment,” wrote Donna Fearey, a nurse consultant with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, in the statement posted to the school’s Facebook page.
Bacterial meningitis is spread from person to person and is characterized by fever, headache and stiff neck. Death can occur in as little as few hours.
To learn more about bacterial meningitis, click here.
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