Up to 400 Exposed to Meningococcal Disease at SDSU

Anyone experiencing symptoms should go directly to a hospital emergency room and explain the possible exposure, school officials said

Hundreds of San Diego State University students have been told to get antibiotics after a fellow student was hospitalized in critical condition with meningococcal disease, school officials confirmed Thursday. 

The 18-year-old female undergraduate student was hospitalized Tuesday, Oct. 14 and is said to be gravely ill. School and hospital officials are not identifying her at this time.

School officials who are in direct contact with the parents, the county and the hospital could not confirm a local television report of the student's death.

SDSU was aware of the student’s condition as of Tuesday evening and began working with San Diego County Health and Human Services to identify others who may have been exposed.

Approximately 300 to 400 people are being notified including all members of the Kappa Delta sorority and anyone who attended two specific fraternity parties on Oct. 8 and 9.

Those who may have been exposed should receive preventative medication, officials said.

The university sent a campus-wide notification to alert students of the health threat.

Meningococcal disease refers to any illness caused by the type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus, according to the CDC.

These illnesses can be life-threatening infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord as well as bloodstream infections.

The disease can be spread by sharing cigarettes or pipes, drinking out of the same water bottles or beverage containers or through other intimate contact like kissing.

Because it takes one to 10 days for someone exposed to the disease to see symptoms, others may have it and not know it.

Symptoms include fever, intense headache, neck stiffness and rashes.

Anyone experiencing symptoms should go directly to a hospital emergency room and explain the possible exposure, school officials said.

San Diego State University is providing some free preventative antibiotics and extended hours at its on-campus clinic.

Any student can be seen without an appointment at Student Health Services on the first floor of Calpulli Center, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Hours have been extended to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

For more information on meningococcal meningitis and the vaccine, call SDSU Student Health Services at (619) 594-4325.

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