Oconto County Public Health (OCPH) is working to protect the health and safety of our residents. OCPH is aware
of cases of bacterial and viral meningitis in our area and has received many questions. Please feel free to share
this information with parents.
What is meningitis?
Meningitis is an infection of the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord. Viral is the most common type of
meningitis and is often less severe than bacterial meningitis.
What causes viral meningitis?
Most cases of viral meningitis are caused by non-polio enteroviruses. Other viruses that can cause viral
meningitis are mumps, measles, chickenpox and influenza.
What causes bacterial meningitis?
There are several causes of bacterial meningitis, and one of them is Group B Strep. Many people carry the
Group B strep bacteria, and do not become ill. People who develop bacterial meningitis from Group B Strep are
not contagious to others.
Is viral meningitis contagious?
Viral meningitis itself is not contagious, but the viruses that cause it are. Because different viruses cause it, it
can be spread in different ways such as coughing, sneezing, improper hand washing, and sharing utensils with an
infected person.
Is bacterial meningitis contagious?
Most of the bacteria that cause meningitis are not as contagious as viruses that cause the common cold or the
flu. It is spread through saliva or mucus, so it’s transmitted by kissing or sharing eating utensils, or being
coughed or sneezed on by an infected person.
Are there vaccines for viral meningitis?
There is no specific vaccine to protect against non-polio enteroviruses, which are the most common cause of
viral meningitis, but some vaccinations can protect against diseases such as measles, mumps, chickenpox, and
influenza, that can lead to viral meningitis. Influenza vaccine is being offered at your child’s school this fall.
Are there vaccines for bacterial meningitis?
Several vaccines are available to protect against bacterial meningitis and it’s causes. Hib and pneumococcal
vaccines protect against bacterial meningitis causes, and is a routine childhood vaccine. The meninigococcal
vaccine is recommended for adolescents age 11-12 with a booster dose at age 16.
What are the symptoms of viral meningitis?
 Fever
 Headache
 Stiff neck
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

Red rash
Drowsiness
Nausea and vomiting
What are the symptoms of bacterial meningitis?
The same as viral meningitis listed above and can include sensitivity to light and confusion.
**If your child develops symptoms of either type, call your health care provider right away.
How can I stop the spread of both types of meningitis?
You can prevent the spread of viral meningitis by proper hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, thorough
cleaning of frequently touched surfaces, and vaccination for causes of meningitis.
Call Oconto County Public Health at 920-834-7000 for more information.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Notes from the Nurse...
COMMUNITY HEALTH CONCERN - MENINGITIS
We want all families in our school district to reassure you that our district has been in direct contact with the
County Public Health Department, our Medical Advisor, and the surrounding School Districts in an effort to
become better educated on recent cases of bacterial and viral meningitis in our local communities.
There have NO cases of Meningitis diagnosed among school staff or students in our school district at this time.
However, in an effort to be proactive, our district administrators, custodial staff, and myself as school nurse, are
working hard to properly clean and disinfect public areas, provide good education on how to prevent the spread
of illness, and maintain communication with the Public Health Department for guidance.
The Public Health Department has NOT advised any heightened measures, nor advised for any school closings.
The measures each school district has chosen to take has been done on an independent level, based on their
individual district and community needs.
WHAT SHOULD FAMILIES DO?
 Review the information provided by Oconto County Public Health. This information should answer
many of your questions and concerns with regard to Viral and Bacterial Meningitis.
 Encourage good hand hygiene. The #1 way to reduce the spread of illness is HANDWASHING. We will
be educating our students and encouraging good hand hygiene here at school, and we request you do
the same at home.
 Keep your child home if they are ill. In general, our district requires students to stay home if they have
symptoms of fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. We recommend students stay home until they are symptom
free for a period of at least 24 hours after symptoms subside(without use of fever reducing medication).
 In addition to this recommendation, please keep your child home and contact your family medical
provider if the following symptoms of viral or bacterial meningitis develop (as outlined in Oconto County
Public Health's enclosed notification):
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

Fever
Headache
Stiff Neck



Red Rash
Drowsiness
Nausea and/or Vomiting
As an affiliate of the HSHS St. Clare Prevea Clinic system, I can assure you our clinicians and nursing staff have
been educated by the Public Health Department, are aware of this community concern, and are knowledgeable
and prepared to advise families on an individual basis. If you have concerns, feel free to call Oconto County
Public Health, your family medical provider, or myself, as your school nurse.
Nuala Nowicki, RN
School District Nurse | Prevea Health & Wellness
Mondays & Fridays @ Prevea Health & Wellness Office (Hansen Site, Green Bay)
Ph: 920-272-3415 | Internal Ext: 73415 | Fax: 920-429-1703
Tuesdays & Thursdays @ Gillett School District
Ph: 920-855-2119 | Fax: 920-855-1502
Wednesdays @ Suring School District
Ph: 920-842-2577 | Fax: 920-842-4570
Email is the preferred form of communication for all non-urgent concerns; voicemail is not routinely accessed.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015