Public Health reports outbreak of Viral Meningitis

Shasta County Public Health officials are concerned about an increasing number of viral meningitis cases in Shasta County. Twelve cases of viral meningitis have been reported with onset in May and 12 more with onset from June 1 to June 15. Since Jan. 1, 41 cases of viral meningitis have been reported to Public Health. This is unusual, as Shasta County has averaged less than 15 annual cases during the period of 2000-2008.

Viral meningitis is not the same as bacterial meningitis, which is a very serious illness requiring immediate medical treatment. However, the two diseases often have similar initial symptoms, so people with these symptoms should contact their doctor right away (especially for infants). Symptoms of viral meningitis include: sudden headache, fever, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion and sensitivity to bright light. Infants may be irritable, refuse to eat and be unusually sleepy.

While viral meningitis is serious, it is rarely fatal in otherwise healthy people. Most of the patients reported to Public Health were hospitalized, and all have recovered. No specific medication or vaccine for viral meningitis exists at this time.

People can take actions to protect themselves, their families and community from the virus.

“Always be vigilant with personal hygiene and encourage young children to do the same,” said Deputy Health Officer Lou Anne Cummings, MD, MPH. “Wash your hands, cover your coughs and stay home when you are sick. Washing hands is especially important.”

Many viruses can cause meningitis. About 90% of cases are caused by members of a large group of viruses known as enteroviruses, such as Coxsackie viruses and echoviruses. Symptomatic enterovirus meningitis occurs most often in infants, children and young adults, but can occur at any age. Enteroviruses are most often spread through direct contact with saliva, sputum or nasal mucus of an infected person. The virus is also shed in the stool of infected persons.

Adhering to good personal hygiene, covering your mouth when coughing, and, most importantly, washing your hands often and thoroughly can help reduce your chances of becoming infected. Also, cleaning contaminated surfaces and soiled articles first with soap and water, and then disinfecting them with a dilute solution of chlorine-containing bleach (made by mixing approximately ¼ cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water) kills the virus, especially in institutional settings such as child care centers.

Normally, for viral meningitis, symptoms last from 7 to 10 days and the patient recovers completely. The incubation period for enteroviruses is usually between 3 and 7 days from the time you are infected until you develop symptoms. You can usually spread the virus to someone else from about three days after you are infected until about 10 days after you develop symptoms. It is important to know that most people infected with enteroviruses have mild or no symptoms but can still pass it on to others unknowingly.

When Shasta County Public Health began receiving more case reports of viral meningitis than average, an investigation was started to see if the cases were related. While a few are members of the same family or attended the same small gathering, most of the reported cases are spread throughout the county with no known connections, indicating communitywide transmission. Cases are split evenly between males and females, but 90 percent of reported patients are younger than 30. Public Health is working to keep health care providers informed, and is helping them get specimens to the state lab for testing. For more information about viral meningitis, call 225-5591 or visit http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/viral/viral-faqs.htm.