Bacterial Meningitis

Fever, headache, stiff neck, reduced level of alertness, nausea, loss of appetite, small purplish rash on upper body, irritability and sensitivity to light.
This disease is spread through direct contact with saliva or respiratory droplets of an infected person. These droplets can also be released into the air by talking, coughing or sneezing. Someone can be contagious 3-5 days after they have come in contact with the bacteria, once they have become symptomatic and for 24 hours after antibiotics have been started.
To reduce the risk of transmission, practice proper hand hygiene, good surface cleaning, sanitizing objects that may be put in a child’s mouth, ensure fresh air ventilation, follow cough and sneeze etiquette and use personal protective equipment (PPE) if appropriate. Immunization, when available will also significantly reduce risk.
Public Health will advise how long the student should stay home. If someone is identified as a close contact of the person with bacterial meningitis, they will need to stay home until treated with antibiotics for 24 hours regardless if they have symptoms or not.
People who were in close contact with an infected person may require preventative antibiotic treatment.

Communication Notice (recommended to be distributed if two or more cases are present)

Address

Date

Dear Parent/Guardian,

This letter is to inform you that bacterial meningitis has been identified at our school. This disease is spread through direct contact with saliva or respiratory droplets from an infected person. These droplets can be released into the air by talking, coughing or sneezing.

The symptoms to watch for are fever, headache, stiff neck, reduced level of alertness, nausea, and loss of appetite, small purplish rash on upper body, irritability and sensitivity to light. Steps to prevent infection should always be followed. Please remind your child to practice proper hand hygiene, cough or sneeze into their sleeve, discard used kleenexes properly and keep your child home if at any time they show any symptoms of illness. Immunization will also reduce risk.

If you would like more information, please check out this fact sheet at: https://novascotia.ca/dhw/CDPC/meningitis.asp

For specific questions, contact a health care provider, 811 or Public Health.

Sincerely,

NAME