Bacterial meningitis case at NWTC

GREEN BAY - A student at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College has been diagnosed with a form of bacterial meningitis, according to school officials.

NWTC notified students and staff of the case on Monday.

• Click here to read the health alert on NWTC's website.

Brown County health officials say meningococcal disease is only spread by direct contract with saliva. They say that could include kissing, sharing water bottles, or cigarettes.

Authorities say infection with this bacterium is uncommon, but can cause infection in the bloodstream and meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the spinal cord and brain).

Symptoms of meningococcal disease may include the sudden onset of fever, severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, a splotchy rash and confusion. The time interval between exposure and when a person shows signs of illness ranges between 2-10 days, but is most commonly 3 or 4 days.

Students and staff are urged to contact their physician immediately if they think they are showing signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease or other types of meningitis.