An inmate at George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Thornton tested positive for bacterial meningitis on Sunday, Sept. 13.

The inmate remained hospitalized as of Tuesday, Sept. 15, Delaware County officials said. George W. Hill is Delaware County's correctional facility, housing inmates from across the county, including Radnor and Haverford townships.

The Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) announced the case on Sept. 15 and said it is working with facility leadership to identify close contacts among inmates, staff and any others who may have been exposed. The county defined the exposure window as Sept. 2 through Sept. 12.

The inmate tested positive after being taken to a local hospital for a separate medical condition, not specifically for meningitis symptoms, Patch reported. The county did not identify the patient.

No other cases have been reported.

George Basile, a spokesperson for Delaware County government, told Patch that as of Sept. 15, no other staff members or inmates had tested positive or reported symptoms.

"The County is continuing closely monitoring the situation at George W. Hill to ensure the safety of both staff and incarcerated individuals," Basile said.

County human resources, occupational health staff and facility medical personnel are providing preventive antibiotics to close contacts, according to the county. The DCHD said higher-risk contacts include people who shared a dwelling, eating utensils, water bottles or cigarettes with the patient, or who were otherwise exposed to the patient's oral secretions during the exposure window.

Preventive antibiotics are not effective more than 10 days after exposure, the county noted.

The disease is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis and spreads through respiratory and throat secretions, not casual contact, according to the DCHD. Symptoms include sudden fever, headache, stiff neck and sensitivity to light. A dark rash may appear in later stages.

The county has not said how many close contacts have been identified or when it will issue a follow-up update.

Residents with questions about bacterial meningitis can call the DCHD wellness line at 484-276-2100 or email [email protected].