State health officials investigating viral meningitis outbreak

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Monday, May 26, 2003

 
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Posted on Tue, May. 06, 2003  
State health officials investigating viral meningitis outbreak
Associated Press
 

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina health officials are investigating an outbreak of viral meningitis in Aiken County, and officials think it may be linked to a similar outbreak in Augusta, Ga.

"Ten cases have been identified in Aiken County, all in either preschool or school-aged children," said Morris Govan, director of the lower Savannah health district for the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

"All of the children are doing well and are being monitored by DHEC staff and by their private physicians," Govan said.

Viral meningitis is an infection of thin lining of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include high fever, headache, stiff neck and fatigue. Most stricken recover with proper treatment.

Bacteria meningitis is different from viral meningitis and can cause more serious complications.

In Georgia, there have been 40 cases of viral meningitis in recent weeks, mostly in Richmond and Columbia counties.

Information from: The Augusta Chronicle

 

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