On Monday residents around the town of Mansfield are reacting to news of a high school student infected with bacterial meningitis.

"I've got grand kids up there in school.  So, they really need to stay on top of it," said Carol Young.

While the student's identity can't be released, the Mansfield School District says it is taking the case seriously, and has since it was notified.

"I called all of our administrators that day, and told them, and started making plans to get together and talk with the county nurse and another school district," said Superintendent Randy Short.

Out of 185 high school students this is the sole reported case of meningitis.

The infected student was released from the hospital, and other students here at Mansfield High who may have been in close contact were also warned, but as a precaution the school district sent this note home to parents on Monday.

In the note, parents are told about the symptoms of meningitis, and also that "developing the disease through secondary contact with an infected individual is rare."

That's why other residents in Mansfield say they are not fearing an outbreak in the community.

"You know it's not as contagious as a lot of people think, and it really takes intimate contact to come in contact with it.  So, I'm not really worried," said Susan Smith.

The school district also says the infected student was not part of an athletic team or part of any extra-curricular activities where others may have come in contact more easily.

Symptoms of bacterial meningitis are fever, headache, stiffness in the neck, and sensitivity to light.

While it's not easily spread, you are urged to seek medical treatment if you believe you may have come in direct contact with someone who is infected.

The Wright County Health Department says you can contact them at (417) 926-0009 for more information.

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