Student Found with Meningitis at Bishop Fenwick School

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department has confirmed that a student at Bishop Fenwick School had a chronic sinus infection, which has lead to meningitis. Dr. Vicki Ann Whitacre, the Medical Director of the Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department said this type of meningitis is not Neisseria meningitis, and is not viral.

The student is currently being treated at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. Bishop Fenwick School will remain open throughout the rest of the week. Dr. Whitacre said there is a very low to no risk to students and school employees.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines meningitis as “An inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges. This inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.”