State health officials are warning hospitals to be extra vigilant for signs of meningitis.
An 18 year old Bennington woman has died of the disease.
Two teenagers in Keene and another in Concord are recovering from the illness.
A 13 year old in Colebrook is still in serious condition.
Yet despite several cases, state health officials say this outbreak is not much different from others.
New Hampshire Public Radio's Mark Bevis has more.
STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE WARNING HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOMS TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR SYMPTOMS OF BACTERIAL MENINGITIS.
AND FOR SIGNS OF ADDITION INFECTIONS.
OFFICIALS HAVE DETERMINED THAT AT LEAST TWO DIFFERENT STRAINS OF THE BACTERIUM ARE AT WORK.
ONE REACTS WELL TO ANTI-BIOTICS, THE OTHER DOESN�T.
THIS OUTBREAK HAS BEEN DIFFERENT FROM YEARS PAST IN THAT SO MANY CASES HAVE APPEARED IN SUCH A SHORT TIME.
TYPICALLY THE STATE SEES ANYWHERE FROM 15 TO 25 CASES A YEAR�.RESULTING IN 1 OR 2 DEATHS.
ONLY 11 HAVE APPEARED SO FAR THIS YEAR.
MARY ANN COONEY IS THE STATE'S DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
TAPE:
MARY ANN COONEY IS DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
SHE SAYS COMMON SENSE PRECAUTIONS LIKE WASHING YOUR HANDS HELPS PREVENT THE SPEAD OF DISEASE.
AND SHE SAYS, IF YOU DON�T FEEL WELL, STAY HOME FROM WORK SO AS NOT TO INFECT OTHERS.
FOR NHPR NEWS THIS IS MARK BEVIS IN CONCORD.
