FOXBORO, MASS. (WHDH) - Foxborough Regional Charter School is taking precautions after learning about a potential case of meningitis on Monday.
Superintendent Mark Logan says the school is waiting on a formal diagnosis but in the meantime, staffers have been actively communicating with the family as well as local and state public health officials.
Families of a particular classroom and those who may have had contact with the student on Monday have been notified, according to Logan.
If a definitive diagnosis is determined, Logan said, “we will continue to follow appropriate protocols for school-wide notification.”
The charter school expects more information within the next day.
Parent Paul Caradonna said, “The person that was potentially infected, they notified all the students in those classes that he or she was in.”
Fellow classmates and those who had contact with the student last week were all told about the possible diagnosis because meningitis can spread.
“Most meningitis is caused either by viruses or bacteria,” said Dr. Todd Ellerin of South Shore Health System. “That’s usually caused by close contact, oftentimes droplets which are if someone sneezes, coughs on you, you share a drink, household contacts are the highest risk.”
Ellerin, the head of infectious diseases at South Shore Health System, stressed that there are two types of meningitis. Viral meningitis is common, and most people get a headache and then recover.
“Bacterial meningitis is a completely different animal,” Ellerin said. “It’s very serious, (causes) significant problems with neurologic function, and it can be fast paced and it can be deadly.”
And though health officials don’t have a definitive diagnosis just yet, the preliminary test results came back late Tuesday and ruled out the more serious bacterial meningitis.
Parent Mike Lewis said, “There’s any number of diseases and illnesses going around at any time so we’re thankful the school reached out to let us know and we’re just taking things as they come and be as safe as we can.”
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