Hospitalized 6-Year-Old May Have Meningitis

A Clarkston, Wash., kindergarten student is in the hospital with a possible case of meningococcal meningitis, which killed an Idaho boy last year.

The 6-year-old girl was listed in stable condition Thursday night at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.

Her name was not released by the Asotin County Health Department or her school, Highland Elementary. Parents of other students in Val Hopkins’ class were notified of potential contagion.

Dr. Timothy Moody, Asotin County public health director, said the families were advised to arrange antibiotics for their children. He said the disease is bacterial and spread only by close contact.

The laboratory has not yet confirmed the girl has meningococcal meningitis, but Moody said she exhibited the symptoms, including an extremely high fever and rash.

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