Suspected viral meningitis reported here

A case of suspected viral meningitis was reported Thursday in Sedalia Thursday.

Katrinka Wiltse, nurse manager at Pettis County Community Health Center, said the single case was reported to the agency by Bothwell Regional Health Center.

School officials sent notices to parents, but Wiltse would not say whether the patient was a student or teacher.

"The main reason for sending out the notifications was that we were fairly sure it was viral (meningitis), and the school was getting numerous phone calls and we were getting numerous phone calls from people who were concerned it was bacterial," she said.

Viral meningitis is transmitted through saliva, such as sharing food or drink. Symptoms include a fever, headache, and stiff neck.

For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control Web site about the disease.