Pea Ridge student diagnosed with meningitis
School district deals with mosquito problem
A student from Pea Ridge was diagnosed with meningitis and airlifted to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock Friday, said officials with the Arkansas Health Department and Pea Ridge School District.
According to the Center for Disease Control, meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. The swelling can be caused by an infection of the fluid.
The website states that meningitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses, physical injury, cancer or specific drugs.
School employees are disinfecting the school and buses with bleach according to the health department guidelines.
40/29 News spoke with another family with students at Pea Ridge Middle School, which is located near a pond. A girl at the school was bitten by mosquitoes on the playground, which left welps.
Ponds and other areas of standing water serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.
The principal of Pea Ridge Intermediate School, Sarah Stokes, said they sent permission slips home with students asking parents to allow teachers to spray the students with insect repellant.
Stokes said the kids are the top priority of the school and if conditions worsen they will open up the school gym.