Student diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis in Bellmore

BELLMORE, Long Island (WABC) -- A high school student in Nassau County has been diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis.

It's a rare but serious infection.

The principal at John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore sent a letter to parents urging them to be on the lookout for symptoms.

The bacterial infection is spread through close contact with an infected person.

Symptoms can include high fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck and rash.