Better Hygiene Advised to Avoid Infection

A medical mystery in New Jersey — a third case of encephalitis believed to be caused by a bacteria that causes pneumonia — is prompting better hygiene.

Federal health officials have been called to investigate the bacterium that seems to have caused the infection, mycoplasma pneumoniae, which very rarely causes encephalitis.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common bacterium that spreads like a cold and usually manifests as bronchitis, or walking pneumonia, but in very rare cases some may develop meningitis or encephalitis, The Providence (R.I.) Journal reported.

State health officials are telling schools and parents that good hygiene procedures, such as regular hand-washing and covering mouths when coughing, is the best way to prevent the spread of the bacteria.

Instead of having children cough or sneeze into their hands, state health officials advise sneezing and coughing into the crook of the elbow.