Bleckley Teen Could Be Fighting Case of Bacterial Meningitis

COCHRAN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A Bleckley County teen may be fighting off a case of bacterial meningitis, but health officials say they public does not need to worry.

According to Mark Harden, Director of Environmental Health and Emergency Preparedness for the South Central Health District, the student’s lab results indicate the teen might have a type of meningitis that isn’t easily spread.

Harden told 41NBC that meningococcal meningits is the most severe and can cause brain and spinal damage. The student does not have that bacteria.

Harden says the health district was notified of the student’s condition last Thursday, and has since been investigating.

In a statement regarding the case, Bleckley County Schools wrote, “The student became sick over the Christmas break and has not returned to school since the break. We are not aware of other students with similar symptoms. We were in contact with South Central Health District staff earlier today and they assured us they are monitoring the situation and will advise the superintendent if there is anything more the schools need to do.”

Harden confirmed that as of right now, this is an isolated incident, and again there is no reason for the public to worry.