KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Public Health - Seattle & King County has conducted an investigation into the case of a teenager at Riverside High School in Auburn with meningococcal disease. Though this person is seriously ill, this case does not pose a risk to the general public. Public Health has recommended preventive antibiotics for close contacts, including family members and nine members of the school community.
"Meningococcal disease is not spread casually, and instead needs close personal contact to spread, such as sharing a cup or utensils," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "Although the risk of getting meningococcal disease among close contacts is small, the disease can be severe. For this reason, Public Health investigates all cases to decide who needs preventive treatment."
Meningococcal disease is caused by a bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis that is always present in a small number of people in the community, but it rarely causes serious infections.
The person who is ill could have been contagious to close contacts at school between September 20 and September 22. Public Health has identified nine members of the school community for preventive treatment, and household members are receiving preventive treatment
Background on meningococcal disease
King County has an average of 10 to 30 cases of meningococcal disease each year. Meningococcal disease is spread to close contacts through direct exposure to the infected person's oral secretions, for instance from kissing, sharing eating utensils or drinking from the same cup or glass, or using the same lip gloss or lip balm. An infected person can be contagious to close contacts for several days before the onset of symptoms.
The symptoms that a person with meningococcal disease may experience are high fever with one or more of the following: vomiting, rash, headache, stiff neck or back, unusual sleepiness, or breathing problems. It is always important to notify your doctor if you or somebody in your family experiences these symptoms
More information on meningococcal disease is available online or by calling Public Health's hotline (206-296-4949).
