PEA RIDGE — A middle school student was airlifted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital Monday with viral meningitis, school superintendent Rick Neal said.
“Viral meningitis is an infection of the meninges - a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord,” according to the fact sheet by the Arkansas Department of Health that school officials sent home to par- ents.
“We care about the family and are concerned for the family and the students,” Neal said, adding that school officials are attempting to educate the community about the disease.
All hard surfaces throughout the building are being disinfected, Neal said, as is the bus on which the student rode. He said students are being encouraged to wash their hands and not share food or drink items.
Different viruses can cause viral meningitis so the manner in which it is spread varies from person-to-person contact as well as by insects.