By Kathy Chaffin
kchaffin@salisburypost.com
A second case of bacterial meningitis has been reported in Rowan County.
Nora Cartner, public health nurse supervisor for the Rowan County Health Department, said the 50-year-old woman was diagnosed after being admitted to Rowan Regional Medical Center last Wednesday and undergoing testing for another problem. She was later transferred to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
Cartner said health officials have not been able to determine any link between the woman and the Carson senior diagnosed on Friday. The female student was admitted to Rowan Regional last Friday and later airlifted to Baptist.
Because bacterial meningitis is highly contagious and can be fatal, most of the people who had close contact with both patients have been notified. Cartner said there are still a few who had contact with the 50-year-old that health officials have not been able to reach.
Symptoms of bacterial meningitis include high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting and discomfort looking at lights. Anyone who has had contact with either of the two patients should contact their physicians if they have any of these symptoms.
Read more about Rowan County’s two meningitis cases in Thursday’s Post.