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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A case of meningitis in Yellowknife is "absolutely not an outbreak," says Mary Lou Murphy, a manager with Public Health.

The five-year-old girl, a student at N.J. Macpherson School, is in hospital, said Mike Enns, a friend of the family.

Though Murphy would not speak to the specifics of the case, she said suspected contacts have been identified, notified and treated.

"There is no public health advisory," she said.

Meningitis is a swelling of the lining that surrounds the brain and spinal column. It can be caused by a virus, bacteria or a fungus.

According to the Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada, meningitis can be fatal in just a few hours if left untreated. It can also have serious long-term consequences, such as blindness, deafness, paralysis and cognitive impairment.

Symptoms can vary, said Murphy, but include flu-like symptoms such as fever and vomiting, sensitivity to light and neck pain.

Babies may be irritable and difficult to feed. Meningitis is spread through close contact.

Kissing, sharing utensils, drinks or cosmetics, sneezing, coughing and close physical contact can all spread the illness.

Murphy said key preventive measures include immunizations, hand washing and not sharing items such as lip gloss or juice boxes.

Enns, manager of the Raven Pub, said a last-minute fundraiser held at the pub this past Saturday night raised $1,200 to help the hospitalized girl's parents, who have been missing work to be at her bedside.

"It's amazing how generous people are," Enns said.

Though he could not say for sure, Enns said it seemed as though the girl was "starting to come around."

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