Locust Grove Student Diagnosed With Bacterial Meningitis Improving

A case of bacterial meningitis has been confirmed at Locust Grove Schools. Mayes County Health Department informed the school district that a kindergarten student has been diagnosed with the disease.

School officials were told about the case on Friday and spent the weekend disinfecting the building from top to bottom.

"What we've been told is the student is doing better, has improved, and so we're hopeful that means a full recovery," said Locust Grove Superintendent David Cash. 

Cash says from the moment he first heard one of his students had contracted a potentially deadly disease he couldn't stop thinking about it.

Cash says three other students at the school as well as a handful of kids at the Boys and Girls Club of Locust Grove have been treated for bacterial meningitis as a precaution.

"The state epidemiologist has advised us that only those in 'prolonged close proximity' are at risk. In conversation with the student's teacher, the health officials determined only three students at the Locust Grove Early Learning Center should receive preventative treatment, although even these are considered low risk," said Shane Holman, principal of the Early Learning Center.

All students' parents in the class were contacted to make them aware of the situation, Holman said on the school web site. Health department officials don't believe the child became sick here at the school because last week was spring break.

2/15/2012 Related Story: Pawnee County Mom Warns Parents About Meningitis After Daughter Survives Disease

"We understand everyone's fear and concern about this matter," Holman said.

"Please be assured that many, many questions were asked to insure the safety and health of our students. We know that the student's family appreciates the continued thoughts and prayers."

Cash says he considered closing school this week but the state health department told him that's not necessary and would not reduce the children's risk of exposure.

"There's a lot of fear with this, and it won't subside until this subsides," said School Superintendent David Cash.

Cash says the high profile case of Jeremiah Mitchell and the two students who died in Oologah in 2010 from bacterial meningitis have school leaders across the state on alert.

"That's the fear," he said. "You see that on the news and you feel so strongly about Jeremiah and about the children that passed because of this."

Symptoms of bacterial meningitis include high fever, headache and neck stiffness. The Health Department has a hot line set up for questions: 1-800-234-5963.

The school's web site notes that parents whose children display the symptoms should seek medical care immediately.