Additional-viral-meningitis-info

To follow up on the information provided earlier, the Central Shenandoah Health District has provided the following statement:

• Currently James Madison University (JMU) is experiencing a cluster of illness in students suspected to be viral meningitis.
  • One laboratory test has come back positive for enterovirus, a common virus that causes respiratory symptoms and in some cases, meningitis.
• JMU is working closely with the local health department and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
  • The health department is interviewing suspected cases to look for common exposures and risks.
  • The health department is also working with the hospitals regarding testing and care for hospitalized students.
• Antibiotics are not recommended for prevention of viral meningitis.  Sometimes hospitalized patients may be treated with antibiotics as a precautionary measure.
• If you have question of concerns about exposure to viral meningitis, please call your healthcare provider, the University Health Center at 540-568-6178, or the health department at 540-332-7830, x304. (The health department phone line is covered during evenings and weekends as well as regular business hours.)
• If you are experiencing symptoms of viral meningitis, such as fever, headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to bright light, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, and lack of energy, please go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
  
  **This is an ongoing investigation and information may change at any time.  We will do everything we can to keep everyone informed.