Viral Meningitis Sickens Four Students At Pitman High School

By David Madden

PITMAN, N.J. (CBS) -- A South Jersey school district had to address several cases of viral meningitis last week, but things are back to normal.

Four students at Pitman High School and the district vo-tech came down with the virus. District officials suggest it crept up within the varsity football team.

Viral meningitis can be easily spread, just like a cold.

"Generally, the symptoms for viral meningitis include fever, headache, tiredness, Ditty Mae Jankauskas, Nursing Director in the Gloucester County Health Department, told KYW Newsradio. "Some people will be nauseous. Sometimes there's a stiff neck and some people will have sensitivity to light."

Parents in the district were immediately informed when the virus first surfaced last week. The four sickened students are all back in class now.

District officials took precautions to ensure against spreading the virus further.

"There was some enhanced cleaning done in locker areas, in the weight room," Pitman Superintendent Dr. Patrick McAleer said. "We basically put new protocols in for hydrating those athletes, got rid of the old water bottles."

The team had a bye week last weekend and did not play.