MENINGITIS CLAIMS LIVES OF 2 IN AREA

Two people have died within the week of bacterial meningitis, but health officials say no health emergency exists.

A 37-year-old Cape Girardeau woman and a 3-year-old Fredericktown boy both died, but from different strains of the disease.

"We don't want people to be overly frightened," said Sue Tippin, communicable-disease coordinator with the Missouri Department of Health.

Meningitis is a swelling of the membranes covering the brain, which can be fatal. The condition can be caused by a number of bacterial infections or by viruses.

The Cape Girardeau woman was infected with streptoccal pneumonia, the same organism that causes strep throat. The disease can develop into a number of other ailments including scarlet fever or meningitis.

The Fredericktown child was infected with a bacteria called Neisseria meningitis.

For the strep infection, no preventative treatment is offered, Tippin said. "It is not highly contagious," she said.

For the Neisseria infection, a preventative treatment is given to people who were in close contact with the child. Tippin explained that close contact would include anyone who cared for the child or, for example, kissed the child.

"Casual contacts with the child would not be considered in close contact," Tippin said. "Someone in the same room with the child would not be considered at high risk."

Anyone who thinks they may have been exposed should contact their doctor for advice, she said.

Symptoms of meningitis can appear very mild and often mimic flu symptoms. "Then in a very short time, they become very serious," Tippin said.

Individuals should seek medical attention if flu-like symptoms get worse.

"Nine times out of 10 there is no problem," she said. "But once in awhile it can take a real rapid route."