What is Meningitis, and Who's at Risk?

Crowds of people in Ohio waited to get antibiotics as a precautionary measure against a strain of meningitis that has killed two teens, and has left a third in serious condition.

Crowds of people lined up outside two Ohio hospitals on Saturday after two teens died, and a third has been diagnosed with a strain of meningitis and now antibiotics for the disease has been flown in because of the high demand.

Hospitals are running out of a meningitis antibiotic in the small town of Alliance. Thousands have received the antibiotic but even more still need it.

The rush on the antibiotic comes after a third high school student contracted meningitis and remains in critical condition. Two other high school students died from the disease this week.

Health Officials Send Warning

Health officials advised anyone who may have had contact with the disease to take free preventative antibiotics. This includes students, parents, and school staff.

"Our target group would include students of any age from the Alliance City School, Marlington and West Branch School Districs and their direct contacts," said Dr. Mark Hostettler of Alliance Hospital.

Meningitis is a bacterial disease, which can be spread through saliva, and could be spread through a variety of ways.

"That includes sharing of glasses, sharing of cigarettes, and close personal contact," Hostettler said.

However, for most of the people waiting at the hospital, along with health officials the lethal disease is an enigma.

"It's pretty terrifying because no one can tell us how it's being transmitted," Ken Cardinal, who was waiting outside Alliance Community Hospital to pick up antibiotic pills for himself, his wife and his 2-year-old granddaughter told the Associated Press. "There must be 5,000 in line and it's getting longer and longer and longer."

Sick Student in Critical Condition

Doctors fear that the disease could be spread even through hugging and grief reactions— even those that have been going on at the funerals for the two dead students.

"This is a rapidly and devastating disease. Yes, I would call this a crisis. We implemented our disaster strategies early this morning upon notification of the patient in the emergency department," Hostetter said.

Two Beloit West Branch High School students died in the past week after being diagnosed with neisseria meninigitidis, a form of meningitis with various strains. It can be spread by drinking out of the same container or sharing a utensil, health officials said.

On Saturday, health officials diagnosed an 18-year-old Marlington High School student with neisseria meninigitidis, said Alliance Community Hospital Medical Director Dr. Mark Hostettler.

Hostettler said doctors are continuing tests to see whether the three students infected had the same strain of the disease. They should know later today.

Fearing that many more people have been infected, health officials are considering whether giving everyone in the area preventitive antibiotics.

"As this situation has evolved, it is possible that with the advice of the Centers for Disease Control, we may consider an immunization plan," Hostettler told the The Associated Press.

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