Students Test Positive for Meningitis

A South Jersey student has tested positive for bacterial meningitis and two more have tested positive for a bacterial infection in their bloodstreams, according to representatives of Cooper University Hospital.

Three students from Camden Catholic High School were admitted to local hospitals over the weekend.

Two of the students, a 17-year-old male basketball player and a 14-year-old female cheerleader, were in critical but stable condition Monday morning, but by Monday afternoon were listed in stable condition. Both fell ill earlier in the weekend after showing symptoms of a serious bacterial infection.

A second 17-year-old male basketball player was also hospitalized in stable condition.

Other students at the high school are also being screened, as well. But no other possible cases of meningitis were found.

The situation has alarmed educators at Camden Catholic High School.

"It is a terrible thing," said Principal Thomas Kiely. "We're not really sure how the students contracted this or where they wound up communicating it to each other."

A student who is friends with one of the 17-year-olds told NBC 10 he had to get tested, as did his sister.

Reportedly, all members of the basketball and cheerleading squads were also tested over the weekend at Cooper Hospital in Camden.

Educators are telling other students at the high school that if they have symptoms such as nausea, headache, body ache or fever, they should get checked out by their local doctor.

However, the school was open Monday morning for classes.

The school has set up a special hot line direct to the health office for anybody who has questions, at (856) 663-0028.

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