By Katie Wilson
FAIRMONT — Officials have confirmed a case of meningitis reported at the state 4-H camp at Jackson’s Mill is the less-serious viral form of the disease.
On Wednesday, the West Virginia University Extension Service notified the public a 14-year-old female camper participating in the state 4-H older member’s conference camp was diagnosed with meningitis Tuesday. About 300 4-H’ers representing every county in West Virginia are participating in the camp, which ends today. As of Wednesday, lab tests had not yet confirmed whether the girl had the less-serious viral meningitis or the sometimes fatal bacterial variety.
On Thursday, Ann Bailey Berry, WVU Extension Service communications officer, reported lab tests confirmed viral meningitis.
Berry said the girl has been released from Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.
The camper had also been in residence at Greenbrier County 4-H camp from June 11-15. That camp was held at Greenbrier County Youth Camp at Anthony. Berry said parents of children at both camps have been notified.
This is the first reported case of meningitis at a WVU Extension 4-H camp in the more than 80 years of camping across the state, she said.
According to Berry, the girl awakened Tuesday morning with severe flu-like symptoms. The cabin counselor took the girl to the camp nurse, who transported her to the hospital.
Symptoms of meningitis include a combination of stiff neck, severe headache, high fever, nausea and sore throat. Anyone exhibiting these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.
Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the three thin layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord.
For more information, contact the county health department or family physician. Additional information about meningitis can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm
E-mail Katie Wilson at kwilson@timeswv.com.
