Arcata High School Student Hospitalized By Meningitis

ARCATA, CA. (KIEM) – Arcata high school junior Everett Halikas is hospitalized with a case of meningitis.

Humboldt Public Health is recommending that close contacts of the student seek preventive antibiotic treatments and is reaching out to people who have been in close contact.

The risk of infection to others is low, but parents are still advised to look for signs of the disease; which include fever, headache, stiff neck, and/or rash that does not blanch when pressure is put on it.

If any of these signs are observed, the student should be taken to a physician or emergency room.  Again, public health has said that the risk of this illness to the general population is very low.

There is a go-fund-me for Everett’s medical bills which has raised over $35,000 dollars to date.