APALACHICOLA, Fla. (WTXL) — The Florida Department of Health in Franklin County is investigating viral meningitis at after one of its students tested positive at a local hospital.
Apalachicola Bay Charter School (ABC) administration notified parents of the possible issue on Sunday night using Facebook and parent’s email. Some received texts from their children's teachers.
The notification letter said the custodial staff would take extra daily precaution in disinfecting and cleaning the school.
According to a statement from the FDOH in Franklin County, "there is no cluster or outbreak and the Florida Department of Health does not recommend any building closures related to this situation." FDOH is now working in partnership with ABC to investigate the matter.
Still, some parents were concerned those measures weren't enough, questioning whether or not the school should close for the disinfection and how realistic it is to expect ardent hand-washing from children.
School leaders followed up with this statement on Facebook:
“Please understand ABC School has shared information that allows parents to be aware, alert and able to make a more informed decision in the rare case that a child or staff member should show symptoms."
The health department says symptoms of viral meningitis include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to bright light, sleepiness or trouble waking, nausea, vomiting and lack of appetite.
DOH says the symptoms usually last seven to 10 days and people usually recover completely.
For more information, contact Franklin County's DOH at 850-653-2111.
