A Rutherford County School student is likely infected with viral meningitis. Rockvale Middle School was made aware of the infection by the childs’ parent on Tuesday. The child has not been at school since Friday.

The principal of the school advised parents about the viral meningitis confirmation on Tuesday evening.

Viral meningitis has subtypes that are considered contagious and also has subtypes that are not contagious. In general, the disease can be transmitted by saliva, air, cough, fecal-oral route, surfaces, blood, needles, blood transfusions and sexual contact.