Alberta Health Services is advising people to wash hands frequently to prevent the spread of viral meningitis. (CBC)Alberta Health Services is telling people to be more careful about hygiene because of an increase in viral meningitis cases in the Edmonton area.

The warning is aimed particularly at people aged 10 to 30.

"Although viral meningitis is usually more common in children under the age of one year, we've seen an increased number of cases reported in the 10- to 30-year-old age group this year," Dr. Gerry Predy, Alberta Health Services' senior medical officer of health, said in a news release.

'Quite a few of these cases seem to be associated with hockey teams, tournaments, school trips and athletic/recreational facilities.'—Dr. Gerry Predy, Alberta Health Services

More than 90 cases of viral meningitis have

been reported to public health officials since April. About half of the cases were in the Edmonton area.

None of the cases has yet resulted in death.

Alberta Health Services advises people to:

• Avoid sharing water bottles, soft drinks, lipstick, cigarettes and other items that come in contact with another person's mouth.
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your eyes, nose or mouth and before eating.
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow. Discard tissues immediately after using them and wash hands with soap and warm water.
• Clean the surfaces of gym equipment before and after using them.
• Clean common household surfaces regularly.

"Quite a few of these cases seem to be associated with hockey teams, tournaments, school trips and athletic/recreational facilities, where sharing of items that have had contact with saliva may be more common," Predy said.

The symptoms of viral meningitis can include fever, dry cough, headache, body aches, weakness, tiredness and rash, and may progress to a severe headache and mild neck stiffness. Symptoms usually last seven to 10 days.

Dr. Gerry Predy says health officials have seen an increase in the number of cases of viral meningitis reported this year. (CBC)The vast majority of cases do not result in serious illness or death.

There is a vaccine to prevent common types of bacterial meningitis, the more serious form of the infection, but none to protect against viral meningitis.

The most recent cases of viral meningitis appear to be caused by an enterovirus. Enteroviruses are usually spread by direct contact with the stool or respiratory secretions of an infected person.

It takes three to seven days after infection for symptoms to show. The virus is contagious from about three days after infection until symptoms in the infected person end.

If serious symptoms develop, the infected person should see a doctor.