Meningococcal disease suspected

A female university student is in stable condition at an area hospital from what health officials suspect is a case of meningococcal disease.

With suspected meningococcal disease, the exact form cannot be confirmed until laboratory tests are completed.

The student lives in Sellery Hall. Her name is being withheld to protect her privacy.

Scott Spear, director of clinical services at University Health Services, says university health staff have identified and contacted persons in close contact with the student who may need preventive antibiotics. Meningococcal disease is not highly contagious, he says, so the one-time antibiotic pill is given only as a preventive measure.

University Health officials and University Housing staff are contacting Sellery residents. Spear stresses that preventive antibiotics are required only for people who have had intimate or direct exposure with a patient with meningococcal disease. Intimate or direct exposure includes kissing, sharing eating or drinking utensils, or contact to fluids from the body of the infected person.

“People who have not had this type of direct contact, such as friends and classmates, do not need to be worried,” Spear says.

Meningococcal disease cases very rare, Spear says, adding that a single isolated case does not raise serious public health concerns. If more than one case of the same strain is confirmed in a community, more widespread preventive treatment is pursued, he explains.

Typical symptoms of meningococcal disease include a fever greater than 101
degrees and a severe, sudden headache accompanied by mental changes, neck or back stiffness, and rashes.

More information about meningococcal disease

Students interested in speaking to someone at University Health Services should call (608) 265-5600.