DATE: Friday, October 3, 1997               TAG: 9710030655

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 

DATELINE: WISE, VA.                         LENGTH:   22 lines

OFFICIAL: MOSQUITO TRANSMITTED MENINGITIS

Four children have contracted what is believed to be a rare form of meningitis caused by a mosquito bite, according to the Wise County Health Department.

Dr. Sue Cantrell said Wednesday the four youngsters became ill sometime during the past six weeks. The disease is not transmitted from person to person.

The form is so rare that only 100 to 200 cases are reported each year, Cantrell said. Children under 15 are most commonly affected, and most recover, she said. Symptoms include a high fever, headaches, a stiff neck, tiredness and confusion. KEYWORDS: MENINGITIS

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