A 19-year-old student at the University of Colorado at Boulder was diagnosed Wednesday with meningococcal meningitis. The student, who is a freshman in the Baker Residence Hall on the Boulder campus, is in stable condition at Children's Hospital in Denver.Ìý
University and Boulder County Health Department officials are investigating the single case and say that no other cases of the disease have been identified. State health authorities also have been notified.
Friends of the student, residence hall and fraternity acquaintances, and other contacts currently are being notified. About 12 people already have been notified and are in the process of being treated or scheduled for treatment with a preventive medication that is given to individuals who had confirmed direct contact with the patient.
Representatives of CU-Boulder's Wardenburg Health Service are meeting with Baker Hall residents at 6:30 tonight and Boulder County Health Department officials will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday with members of the student's fraternity, Kappa Alpha.
The last reported case of meningococcal meningitis at CU-Boulder was in March 2001. That patient, a male student, recovered fully.
Robert Cranny, director of CU-Boulder's Wardenburg Health Center, and Heath Harmon, communicable disease specialist for the Boulder County Health Department, said that risk to other people is minimal and is confined to those who have had direct contact with the patient.
"The risk for contracting this disease is low, but individuals who have had close contact with the patient are advised to receive antibiotic treatment within 24 hours as a preventive measure, although treatment is available for up to 14 days after exposure," Cranny said.Ìý
Close contact includes kissing; sharing cigarettes, drinks, glasses or eating utensils; and being exposed to secretions from the nose or throat of the infected person.
Meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord, and its accompanying bloodstream infections, are rare but potentially fatal.Ìý
If people think they have had contact with the infected person, they should call Wardenburg at (303) 492-5101. Wardenburg Health Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"It's important to remember that a single case of meningococcal meningitis does not constitute an outbreak," Harmon said. "Isolated cases occur from time to time, especially during the winter and early spring months. Nevertheless, we recommend that anyone experiencing symptoms of the disease contact their physician immediately."
Symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include fever, severe sudden headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, rash and lethargy.
A preventive immunization is recommended by the American College Health Association and the Centers for Disease Control. People affiliated with the university who are interested in getting the vaccination shot can go to Wardenburg from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Parents of all incoming freshmen receive a letter during the summer with information about the recommendation for immunization. Over the past two years, about 3,000 CU-Boulder students have been vaccinated for meningitis either at Wardenburg or at special clinics at the Recreation Center. The cost for vaccination is $85.
For more information on meningococcal meningitis check the CU Web site at .