A student from Sunnyside High School in Southeast Fresno is fighting a case of bacterial meningitis.
This local case is not the same type of meningitis brought on by a steroid shot that's been making recent headlines around the country.
Tension was rising among students and parents Tuesday afternoon after the news was released.
Students were given a letter explaining what bacterial meningitis is and how to decrease the possibility of contracting it.
The disease is spread by close contact with someone who has the illness -- such as kissing, sharing drinks or eating utensils or coming in contact with coughs or sneezes, but being in the same room with the infected person is not considered close contact.
The Fresno County Public Health Department says those who did have close contact with the ill student have been recommended for preventative antibiotic therapy.
David Luchini with the Fresno County Public Health Department said, "We feel good, we haven't seen any other cases pop up so we're feeling better and better that hopefully there will not be additional cases but like anything, we want to make sure to monitor it closely."
Officials say the chances of someone becoming ill with this disease is very small, however it's still very dangerous. "It can be fatal and in some cases people can get hospitalized and things like that so that's why we're making it important to get to those who were close to that person," said Luchini.
The Fresno Unified School District released a statement, that in part it says: The Fresno County Public Health Department and Fresno Unified officials are working together to protect the health and safety of all students."
