The student is currently being treated and is improving. Although the disease was caused by the same type of bacteria that caused illness in another student last week, it has not been established whether the two cases are related. As in the earlier case, both KSC Health Services and the N.H. Division of Public Health are not advising either vaccination or community-wide preventive medication. Those individuals described as close contacts of the ill student have been reached and treated. The disease can be cured if appropriate antibiotic treatment is begun promptly.
Meningococcal disease can spread from person to person.
However, this occurs only through close or intimate contact with the person s saliva, such as sharing eating utensils, cups or water bottles, kissing, etc. Usually these people live in the same house or are close friends of the ill person. Casual contact or just being in the same class as the ill person does not pose an increased risk. Dr. Greenblatt also said that dining together poses little risk. If any of the symptoms listed above occur, please contact KSC Health Services immediately.