MARION - A Linn Mar High School student has come down with bacterial meningitis, a serious disease that can be deadly. Samantha Slaymaker, 17, is in the hospital, and her close friends and family are getting treatment as a precaution.

Since bacterial meningitis can pass from person to person, it's a disease that must be reported to the department of health. When someone reports a case, that information needs to get out as soon as possible.

The Linn Mar School District says the student showed symptoms late last week.

"The student came to school Friday morning with a really really bad headache and immediately went to the school nurse and was sent home," said Dr. Katie Mulholland, Linn-Mar Superintendent.

Doctors diagnosed Samantha Slaymaker, 17, over the weekend. Since then, Linn County Public Health determined who she had close contact with and treated them with antibiotics. That includes the nurse and nurse assistant who treated Slaymaker at school last Friday.

"People are always concerned when they hear the word meningitis," said Vicki Smith, Nursing Supervisor.

Public Health emphasizes that bacteria meningitis is not highly contagious and is spread through saliva contact through things like kissing, sharing water glasses, food or lip balm. It's confident all students who might be affected have been treated.

"Other parents do not need to be concerned at this point because those who were potentially exposed have been contacted and treated."

But that hasn't eased every concern.

"We have received phone calls, we have had parents come and take their students out of school."

Linn-Mar's principal spoke to students at the end of the school day and the District sent home letters to parents. Superintendent Mulholland sees this as an opportunity to talk about what can be done to prevent this disease and the precautions the district needs to take when there is a case.

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The following is a release from Linn-Mar School District:
A Linn-Mar High School student was diagnosed over the weekend with bacterial meningitis. At this time the student is hospitalized. Students and adults who have had close contact with the students have received precautionary treatment.

Bacterial meningitis is only spread by direct exchange of respiratory droplets. Persons who have had casual contact such as sitting or standing next to someone in a classroom, office or factory do not need treatment. The disease is spread by direct contact with saliva, such as kissing, sharing eating utensils, drinks or cigarettes.

Signs of infection include: high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, and/or rash.

A vaccine is available and recommended for individuals where the disease is common, certain high-risk individuals, college freshman living in dormitories and military recruits. If you have concerns, please contact Linn-Mar Health Services, your family physician, or Linn County Health Department.

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The Following is a statement form Linn County Public Health:
A 17 year old female was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis on Sunday in Linn County. Meningitis is a reportable disease that is serious in nature and relatively rare. Meningitis is a severe bacterial infection of the blood and meninges (the thin covering of the brain and spinal cord). The disease is a threat for the infected individual and their close personal contacts as it is spread by having contact with mucus or droplets from the nose and throat of an infected person. Typically the disease is spread by direct contact with the saliva of an infected person from activities like kissing, sharing eating utensils, drinks or cigarettes. According to Curtis Dickson, Director of Linn County Public Health “This case has been handled effectively and there is no cause for panic. An investigation has been completed on the infected person in Linn County and all of their close contacts have been identified and placed on prophylaxis, which will prevent them from contracting the disease or spreading it any further.” “This is also a good time to reinforce the importance of vaccinating children against meningitis and other diseases,” finished Dickson.

For more information about Meningitis or public health in general you can visit the Iowa Department of Public Health website at http://www.idph.state.ia.us or call 1-866-227-9878.

More information on bacterial meningitis.