CHAPEL HILL – A 5-year-old child died Wednesday in Durham due to a probable case of bacterial meningitis, according to health officials. The disease is rare and can be deadly if not caught early.

A spokesman for the Durham County Department of Public Health told multiple news outlets that the case was under investigation. Nine classmates of the infected child, who attend Mount Zion Christian Academy, were being treated with preventive antibiotics.

Susan Rankin, the communicable disease coordinator for Orange County Health Department, explained that meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges.

“The most common is viral meningitis, which is caused by a virus. [Another type is] bacterial which can be cause by several different types of bacteria,” Rankin said.

Meningitis may develop in response to a number of causes, usually bacteria or viruses, but can also be caused by physical injury, cancer, or certain drugs, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Rankin said that bacterial meningitis is not an airborne illness and is not spread through casual contact.

“It is transmitted in secretions such as saliva or nasal secretions, like when people have a runny nose—you’ll be infected through contact like that.”

The average onset of bacterial meningitis is three to seven days, though it depends on what kind of bacteria caused it. Symptoms include fever, headache, a stiff neck and trouble thinking.

“A parent should take their child to the doctor if they are demonstrating any of those symptoms and let the doctor know that they were in contact to meningitis,” Rankin said.

Rankin said that the last case of bacterial meningitis reported in OrangeCounty occurred sometime in mid 2000’s.

“In the United States, about 4,100 people a year become sick with some sort of bacterial meningitis, and that is across the whole United States. There are about 500 deaths per year.”

Several childhood vaccines prevent variations of bacterial meningitis.

The severity of the illness and the treatment for meningitis differ depending on the cause. That’s why it is important to target the specific cause of meningitis.

Related Stories
‹
On Measles, Orange County Wants to Bring 'Immunity to the Community'
Later this month, Orange County is hosting a public symposium on measles, part of a push to urge parents to get their kids vaccinated.
On Air Today: Orange County Measles Symposium, 'Bringing Immunity to the Community'
Orange County medical director Erica Pettigrew joins Aaron to discuss an upcoming public symposium on measles and the MMR vaccine.
Mental Health, Infant Mortality and Environmental Racism: Takeaways From Orange County's Health Assessment Data
Every four years, the Orange County Health Department embarks on an intensive effort to gather wide-ranging, local health information in its Community Health Assessment, which happened in 2023. One month ago, the health department shared those results and data with residents. The health department published its public copies of the 2023 assessment after surveys, focus […]
Orange, Chatham Communities to Host Public Talks About Opioid Settlement Funding
The Orange County and Chatham County local governments are preparing for community meetings about incoming funding from opioid settlements.
Medical Clinic at Southern Human Services Center Re-Opening on Monday
The Orange County Health Department’s medical clinic at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill will re-open on Monday, July 10. The clinic had been closed due to a facilities construction project at the building since November 7. The county government originally estimated in November that the project would last approximately four months. The […]
Orange County Ends COVID-19 Testing Services After Nearly 3 Years
After nearly three years of offering PCR tests for COVID-19, the Orange County Health Department has officially halted its testing services.
Orange County Health Department: No More COVID-19 Shots at Hillsborough Site
The Orange County Health Department has closed its COVID vaccination site in Hillsborough, though one remains open in Chapel Hill.
'Safer, Stronger, and Healthier': Orange County Trio Wins Dogwood Award
Three local residents earned recognition this week for their efforts to promote women's health and fairness and equity in criminal justice.
Construction to Affect Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill
Orange County expects an impending facilities construction project to affect government services at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, according to a release sent out on Thursday afternoon. The county government says construction in the area will begin on Monday, November 7 and last for approximately four months. The Health, Housing and Social […]
Town of Chapel Hill Shares 2022 Plans for Halloween
With Monday, October 31 rapidly approaching, the Town of Chapel Hill announced its plans for accommodating a downtown Halloween celebration that night. The town government said it will close Franklin Street and Columbia Street to motorists from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Halloween night. Franklin Street will be closed between the Church Street and […]
›