1 Mo. soldier dead, 1 seriously ill with meningitis

ST. LOUIS -- Meningitis cases at Fort Leonard Wood have left one soldier dead and another "very seriously ill," according to officials at the southern Missouri Army base.

Fort Leonard Wood officials announced the meningitis cases in a news release Sunday. Few details were released, including names of either victim. Calls on Monday to a media spokesman at the base were not returned.

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. It kills about 300 people in the U.S. each year.

At Fort Leonard Wood, both illnesses involved noncontagious forms of meningitis, authorities said. The two soldiers were members of the same unit, but no connection has been found between the cases.

"Although difficult to comprehend, all clinical data show these cases are unrelated and purely coincidental," Lt. Col. John Lowery, deputy commander for clinical services at Fort Leonard Wood, said in a written statement.

'Heightening awareness'

The first soldier died after being diagnosed Feb. 5. The second soldier is a 28-year-old in basic training who was diagnosed Friday with a strep pneumonia infection leading to meningitis. The base said the soldier is "very seriously ill" but in stable condition at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Mo.

Brian Quinn of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said he was not familiar with the Fort Leonard Wood cases.

Soldiers in the same unit as the victims have been briefed by health officials and senior leaders at the base. Authorities say that even though the illnesses were caused by noncontagious forms, they are "heightening awareness" of measures to prevent meningitis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Surgeon General's office and the U.S. Army Medical Command are reviewing the Fort Leonard Wood cases.

The CDC said meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Viral meningitis is generally less severe and resolves without specific treatment, the CDC said.

Bacterial meningitis can result in brain damage, hearing loss, learning disability or death. Symptoms include high fever, headache and a stiff neck, and can also include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion and sleepiness. It is treated with antibiotics. The CDC says early diagnosis is vital.

Some forms of bacterial meningitis are contagious. The bacteria are spread through throat secretions. The CDC said none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are spread through casual contact.