Meningococcal meningitis may result in death if not treated early

Just one week after a Wisconsin student died from meningococcal meningitis, the Arkansas Department of Health explains another individual has died from the same infection. However, the cases are said to be unrelated.

Experts explain there should be no cause of alarm as the condition is rare. While rare, the condition is sometimes fatal.

Officials have been contacting individuals who may have been in contact with the victim and are working to provide antibiotics or vaccines.

A usually deadly infection, meningococcal meningitis causes severe swelling around the spinal cord and brain. The condition usually affects children and teenagers, but anybody could be infected with the bacteria.

Symptoms of meningitis include nausea, vomiting, fever, neck or head pain, and alterations in mental state. Individuals experiencing many of the symptoms are urged to seek medical attention.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explain that less than 2,000 cases occur each year. Treating the condition early is vital to survivability, and the death rate is typically less than 15 percent.