The Knox County Health Department is educating some area schools and day-care center about viral meningitis following a cluster of several cases connected to a local daycare.
Mudpies and Music day-care center in Powell is closed for the rest of this week after several cases of viral meningitis were connected with the facility. Owner Kara McKamey said she’ll reopen the center on Monday.
Health Department Director Doctor Martha Buchanan said the department would not have required the day-care center to close, and that preventing the spread of viral meningitis comes down to cleaning hands and surfaces; avoiding physical contact with those who are sick; and making sure vaccines are up-to-date.
Viral meningitisis an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord and is caused by several different viruses. It can be serious, even fatal, but most people recover in a week to 10 days. Symptoms include severe headaches, a very stiff neck , and a fever greater than 101 degrees.
