Wood County Health District had to combat misinformation spread via social media regarding a death
earlier this week.
A Cygnet girl’s death was reported Tuesday morning as a possible meningitis case, which must be reported
to the health district’s epidemiologist.
By 2 p.m., the more contagious bacterial strain of the disease was ruled out, said Pat Snyder, health
information, education and communications manager for the health district.
Several hours later, however, incorrect information spread on Facebook that the girl’s death likely was
due to meningitis, defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an inflammation of the
protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
Specifically, the posts were regarding a letter posted around the village and given to softball coaches
and parents whom the writer believed may have had contact with the patient.
Identification of only a specific bacterial strain requires action by the health district, and once
that’s ruled out, the district’s investigation ceases. But by Wednesday morning, Snyder said they were
working to correct the inaccurate report by spreading their own Facebook messages.
“We realized this information was probably being shared pretty widely. We were trying to work to counter
the concern that might be out there about it being a contagious illness,” which it is not, Snyder said.

“The Wood County Health District maintains close contact with our healthcare providers and
infection-control people to make sure that we’re aware of any conditions that might require us to take
action.”