JAMESTOWN, Tenn (WVLT) -- A Fentress County child has died after suffering from bacterial meningitis.

The 11 year old child died Monday, according to Debbie Hoy, the epidemiologist for the Upper Cumberland Regional Heath Department.

But, Hoy cautions that the community does not have to be concerned about an outbreak of the disease.

Hoy says the strain of bacterial meningitis that caused the child's death is Streptococcus Pneumoniae, not the more critical Neisseria Meningitidis, which can cause meningococcal disease.

"This is not the type to alarm any member of the community, or any family member," Hoy says. "There's no reason for concern that the condition will be passed on to anyone in the community."

Hoy says unlike the meningococcus strain which requires immediate family members and members of the community to be administered antibiotics, Hoy says with this strain no treatment for family or the community is necessary.

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person's spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain, according to the Centers for Disease Control website. People sometimes refer to it as spinal meningitis. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

According to the CDC, high fever, headache, and stiff neck are common symptoms of meningitis in anyone over the age of 2 years. These symptoms can develop over several hours, or they may take 1 to 2 days. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion, and sleepiness.

Bacterial meningitis can be treated with a number of effective antibiotics. It is important, however, that treatment be started early in the course of the disease.

"We express our thoughts, concerns, and prayers for the family of the young girl," Hoy said, "but again, there is no cause for concern or panic among our community."

Check the links below for information on meningitis.