The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department has received a report that a Snow Hill Elementary School teacher is being treated for bacterial meningitis, according to a news release.
The health department and the Hamilton County Department of Education are working to assess and address the situation to prevent the spread of the illness, the release states.
As of today, all people with close and prolonged contact with the teacher have been identified and antibiotic treatments will be given, according to the health department.
"The chances of catching bacterial meningitis from an infected person are low," Dr. Valerie Boaz with the health department said. "However, because of the potential seriousness of this illness, we want to take every precautionary step we can by providing protective treatment to all close contacts."
Bacterial meningitis is spread by close and prolonged exposure to an infected person, the news release states.
"Close contact means within coughing or sneezing distance for more than a few hours," Dr. Boaz stated in the release.
Bacterial meningitis can cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord or a serious blood infection. Symptoms include onset of fever, intense headache, nausea and often vomiting, stiff neck and, frequently, rash. Symptoms can develop 1-10 days after being exposed.
For more information about meningitis, call the health department at 209-8190, Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
On weekends and after hours, call 209-8010 to reach the nurse on-call.