UVa student hospitalized with meningitis

For the first time in nearly three years, a University of Virginia student has come down with bacterial meningitis.
The 21-year-old, fourth-year student was admitted to the University of Virginia Medical Center on Wednesday afternoon, according to Marian L. Anderfuren, a UVa spokeswoman.

The male student was in serious condition as of Thursday night, Anderfuren said in a release.
All those who had close contact with the student, including emergency responders, were notified and have been given the antibiotic prophylaxis, Anderfuren said. Those who had casual contact with the student are not believed to be at risk.
She said the university sent out e-mails to students Wednesday alerting them to the situation.
Bacterial meningitis is a potentially deadly infection of the fluid around the spinal cord and the fluid surrounding the brain. It can be transmitted by respiratory secretions and saliva.

Symptoms include high fever, headaches, stiff neck and rash on the hands and feet. More severe symptoms can be confusion or seizures. Anyone with such symptoms should see a physician immediately.
Virginia has required meningococcal vaccinations for undergraduate college students since 2001. Students who do not want the vaccination can get a waiver.
According to Anderfuren, 95 percent of UVa undergraduates and 77 percent of all students are vaccinated.
Bacterial meningitis is rare but serious, with mortality rates of up to 15 percent, Anderfuren said in the release.
She said the disease is four to five times more common among college students than in the general population, primarily because of the close living quarters.
Anderfuren was not sure whether the infected student lived on Grounds or off.
Two vaccines can prevent four strains of meningitis. Strain type B is not prevented by the vaccines.

That strain caused the death of a UVa student in 2006.
In September of that year, Jennifer Leigh Wells, who lived off campus with her family, contracted the disease and died shortly after being taken to UVa’s hospital.
Wells’ bacterial meningitis case was the first at UVa in 10 years. There were none in 2007 or in ’08.
Doctors have not identified the strain the current student has.

Students with questions can call 982-3915 during the day and 972-7004 after hours.