Two students were hospitalized this week with meningococcal disease, according to a University Health Services release. They are currently recovering.
Details on the students’ names or current condition are not being released due to privacy standards, but it was reported that one of the cases is classified as serogroup B, which some students may not be vaccinated against.
Meningococcal disease can cause meningitis, or the inflaming of the brain tissue lining and spinal cord. Most college students are required to be vaccinated for serogroup ACWY, the more common group, but the vaccine for serogroup B was only recently made available.
Symptoms of meningococcal disease include a high fever, headache, stiffness of the neck and confusion, sometimes accompanied by vomiting or rashes. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact UHS immediately.
UHS is currently investigating whether or not the cases are related, and may recommend students receive a new vaccination in the near future.
