The patient was seen in the Emergency Department late Sunday night and was later transferred to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh for specialized treatment.

Hospital officials immediately notified the state Department of Health, which in turn, launched an investigation and identified others the patient was in close contact with, including those at a day care center.

Those at risk were asked to come to the Emergency Department so they could be evaluated and provided with preventative antibiotics. As of late last night, the hospital's Emergency Department team had evaluated 64 patients.

Of those 64, one patient exhibited symptoms and was treated and transferred to Children's Hospital as a precaution. The hospital has not received confirmation that this patient has bacterial meningitis.

Meningitis, an infection of the fluids in the spinal cord and surrounding the brain, is caused by a viral or a bacterial infection. Bacterial meningitis is the most severe type.

Bacterial meningitis is found worldwide. The bacteria often live harmlessly in a person's mouth and throat. In rare instances, however, they can break through the body's immune defenses and travel to the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. There they begin to multiply quickly.

Soon, the thin membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord (meninges) becomes swollen and inflamed, leading to the classic symptoms of meningitis.

Bacterial meningitis is spread by direct exchange of nose and throat secretions, usually through prolonged contact with the infected person. It is not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been.

Symptoms of meningitis may include high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, rash, sore throat and general flu-like symptoms.

Bacterial meningitis is treatable with antibiotics, but early diagnosis and treatment is important to effectively combat the infection.

If symptoms occur, the patient should see a doctor immediately.