Noble County health officials are cautioning people to be aware of their health after a dialysis patient was reported to have a case of meningitis on Monday.

According to a release and emergency alert issued around 1 P.M. on Monday, those who were in “more than casual” contact with the infected patient during the past week should talk to the dialysis unit or their own doctor.

Over this past weekend, there was a dialysis patient of the Kendallville outpatient dialysis unit who was diagnosed with a Neisseria meningitidis infection. The release from the Noble County Health Department did not identify the patient or the exact location of the dialysis unit.

There are meningococcal meningitis vaccines that are given to school-age kids. People who contract meningitis might have symptoms similar to those of the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Symptoms could include headache, fever and stiff neck, as well as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and confusion.If untreated, the disease can be a fatal in a short period of time.

People who have confirmed cases will be given antibiotics and may need to be hospitalized. Where the patient contracted meningitis or their condition is unknown at this time.