North Carolina: Health Officials investigate a possible case of bacterial meningitis

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.: Health officials in North Carolina are investigating a possible case of bacterial meningitis at Methodist University.

Officials in Cumberland County say the Department of Health was told Saturday that a person affiliated with the university was hospitalized with a "possible diagnosis of a bacterial meningitis infection." They did not say if the ill individual is a student.

Officials say they are coordinating with the school and the state to provide antibiotics to anyone who had direct close contact with the individual.

The university sent a campus-wide notification Saturday.

Meningitis is an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The bacteria that cause the infection can spread through kissing, coughing and sharing beverages.

Signs and symptoms of infection include high fever, headache, stiff neck and a rash.