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The Daily OrangeMeningitis outbreaks on college campuses leave one dead, two hospitalized
By Uyen Nguyen
Posted: 3/24/08, 10:38 PM EST Section: News
There have been recent outbreaks of bacterial meningitis on SUNY Oswego and Cornell University campuses, resulting in a death of one student and the hospitalization of two others.
A freshman at State University of New York at Oswego died on March 14 from meningococcal meningitis, also known as bacterial meningitis. Earlier this month, two Cornell University students were hospitalized after contracting the disease.
"It has been a big shock to everybody," said Julie Blissert, director of public affairs at SUNY Oswego. "It happened so fast."
Blissert has worked at SUNY Oswego for 25 years and has never seen a case of bacterial meningitis prior to this, she said. There have been a few cases of the viral type, but no deaths have occurred until this incident.
The university took many measures in order to make sure the disease did not spread, she said. They put out campus-wide announcements via e-mail, text messages and voicemail.
"More than 300 students were screened who may have been in contact with the victim," Blissert said. "And two-thirds were given a preventative antibiotic."
Bacterial meningitis does not spread through casual contact with someone who is infected - so one cannot simply get it from breathing the same air. Chances are, this was an isolated event, she said.
"It is contagious, but the way the disease works is odd," Blissert said. "It's not like the flu where it passes around easily."
Incoming SU freshmen will be required to fill out a form confirming the student and parents have received and reviewed information related to the meningococcal meningitis vaccine, according to the SU's Web site.
In the form, the students needs to indicate they have been immunized within the preceding 10 years or have opted not to obtain immunization against meningococcal meningitis.
They also need to provide proof of measles, mumps and rubella immunizations.
Meningitis can be viral or bacterial. Bacterial meningitis is the more severe form and can cause death.
A freshman at State University of New York at Oswego died on March 14 from meningococcal meningitis, also known as bacterial meningitis. Earlier this month, two Cornell University students were hospitalized after contracting the disease.
"It has been a big shock to everybody," said Julie Blissert, director of public affairs at SUNY Oswego. "It happened so fast."
Blissert has worked at SUNY Oswego for 25 years and has never seen a case of bacterial meningitis prior to this, she said. There have been a few cases of the viral type, but no deaths have occurred until this incident.
The university took many measures in order to make sure the disease did not spread, she said. They put out campus-wide announcements via e-mail, text messages and voicemail.
"More than 300 students were screened who may have been in contact with the victim," Blissert said. "And two-thirds were given a preventative antibiotic."
Bacterial meningitis does not spread through casual contact with someone who is infected - so one cannot simply get it from breathing the same air. Chances are, this was an isolated event, she said.
"It is contagious, but the way the disease works is odd," Blissert said. "It's not like the flu where it passes around easily."
Incoming SU freshmen will be required to fill out a form confirming the student and parents have received and reviewed information related to the meningococcal meningitis vaccine, according to the SU's Web site.
In the form, the students needs to indicate they have been immunized within the preceding 10 years or have opted not to obtain immunization against meningococcal meningitis.
They also need to provide proof of measles, mumps and rubella immunizations.
Meningitis can be viral or bacterial. Bacterial meningitis is the more severe form and can cause death.
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