ANNAPOLIS, Md. - A Naval Academy Midshipman has been hospitalized after suffering a possible case of bacterial meningitis, the Academy announced Thursday.

The unidentified 20-year-old first-year student was taken by ambulance Wednesday evening to Baltimore Washington hospital, where his condition is being monitored. His condition was not released.

While it is not a confirmed case of bacterial meningitis, the bacterial form of the disease is more serious, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Viral meningitis is generally less severe and resolves without specific treatment, while bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disability," according to a statement on the CDC (web|news) Web site.

» CDC on bacterial meningitis

In a statement, the Academy said it is "aggressively following established medical protocols to ensure this remains the only case aboard the Academy."

Bacterial meningitis is spread through close, person-to-person contact.

According to the CDC, transmission requires "the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (i.e., coughing, kissing)" and it cannot be spread through casual contact.

Symptoms

Headaches

Fever

Stiff Neck

The Academy says medical staff has identified 24 midshipmen who resided in close proximity to the midshipman. Those students were provided with antibiotics as a preventive measure. None is showing signs of infection, the Academy said. They are being closely monitored by medical staff.

"I think it's awful," said Tracy Eachus, an Annapolis resident. "I hope it doesn’t spread anymore than it already has."

"It's very worrisome," said Dwight Wilcox, an Annapolis resident. "Meningitis is lethal quite often and even when it's not, it causes all kinds of problems.