Oregon Public Broadcasting

Health authorities in Crook County say they’re seeing an unusually high number of cases of meningococcal  disease in recent months. 

According to state officials, there have been six confirmed cases in the last 11 months.

Katrina Hedberg is the State Epidemiologist.  She says the disease is caused by common bacteria spread person-to-person though coughs and sneezes.

Even though most people don’t get sick from it, the bacteria can cause a certain type of meningitis, as well severe infection in the blood stream. 

Hedberg says the good news is the disease can be treated.

“This is very sensitive to antibiotics if it gets treated early, so part of what we try to tell people is if people have any concern about it go see a doctor and get evaluated.”

Hedberg says parents can protect their children from most types of meningococcal disease by getting them vaccinated. 

She says health authorities recommend the vaccine for most 11 to 18 year olds.  But she adds actual immunization rates in Crook County for that age group are at just 43 percent.