NEWTON, Texas — UPDATE: NISD has received information from the Texas Department of Health indicating that the type of meningitis the school employee has is isolated, and the type does not meet state and federal criteria guidelines as a reportable disease. NISD says there is no further need for concern and there is no further risk to staff and students.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Classes have been cancelled for all Newton ISD campuses Monday through Wednesday, February 11-13, due to an employee of the elementary school being treated for meningitis symptoms according to a Newton ISD Facebook post.
Thursday and Friday are scheduled school holidays, and classes will resume on Monday, February 18 according to the post.
The employee is being treated for symptoms but the diagnosis is unconfirmed according to a Newton ISD news release.
Parents of students who had direct contact with the employee that is being treated have been personally contacted by school personnel according to a news release from the district.
An outside professional cleaning company will clean the elementary campus during the week according to the post.
All schools are being thoroughly cleaned according to the post.
From a Newton Independent School District news release:
February 11, 2019
Newton ISD classes are canceled Monday, February 11th -Wednesday, February 13th. Thursday and Friday are scheduled school holidays. An elementary school employee is being “treated for meningitis symptoms” at this time the diagnosis is UNCONFIRMED and is being further tested.
The district is closed to take extra precautions for the health and safety of our students.
All campuses are being thoroughly cleaned during the week with the added protection of having an outside professional company come in and clean the elementary campus to ensure the health and safety of students and staff.
Parents of students who had direct contact with the employee that is being treated have been personally contacted by school personnel. The district encourages all parents to be observant of their child’s health and seek medical treatment if needed. When more information becomes available the school district will notify the public, parents and school personnel.