Cornell student is hospitalized with meningococcemia

A Cornell student has been hospitalized with meningococcal disease. The student, a 19-year-old female sophomore, is suffering from meningococcemia, a severe bacterial infection in the bloodstream.

The student was examined Nov. 29 by a physician at Gannett: Cornell University Health Services. She was transferred immediately to Cayuga Medical Center, where she is listed today in serious, but stable condition.

Tompkins County Health Department officials have contacted the people with whom the student recently has been in close contact to arrange the delivery of preventive medication where advisable, said Dr. Janet Corson-Rikert, director of Gannett. No other cases at Cornell have been identified to date.

Meningococcal disease, a rare but serious infectious disease, usually occurs in isolated cases in children or young adults, but has some potential in a campus setting to occur in multiple individuals. Corson-Rikert explains meningococcal infections are spread by close contact with nose or throat secretions of an infected person. While the bacteria can be transmitted through close personal contact, such as sharing utensils, drinks, lipstick, lip balm or cigarettes; kissing on the lips; or sneezing or coughing on someone, it can only survive for a few minutes outside the body and is not transmitted casually.

The disease develops within the first two to five days of exposure in most cases. At any given time, up to 10 percent of the population carries the germ without illness, and physicians theorize that variations in individuals' immune response may determine which persons develop serious illness. Meningococcal disease generally is treated with antibiotics and hospitalization.

Symptoms of meningococcal disease include high fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, rash and mental-status alterations. People with these symptoms should seek immediate medical care, Corson-Rikert advises.

There is a safe, effective vaccine that can provide protection against four of the five strains of meningococcal disease, which together account for nearly 70 percent of meningococcal cases on U.S. campuses. The American College Health Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend undergraduate students consider getting this vaccine. Gannett will hold a vaccination clinic Thursday, Dec. 2, from 5 to 9 p.m. for students who want to receive the vaccine.

Students with concerns about illness should contact Gannett at (607) 255-5155. For information about meningococcal disease and public health concerns, contact the Tompkins County Health Department at (607) 274-6604.


Important information about meningococcal disease

Gannett: Cornell University Health Services wants to make sure students, faculty and staff have up-to-date information about meningococcal disease.

  • This rare, but serious infectious disease usually occurs in isolated cases in children or young adults but has some potential in a campus setting to occur in multiple individuals. People who have had close contact with the student in the past two weeks have been identified and provided prophylactic (preventive) treatment with an antibiotic to reduce the risk of other cases in the directly exposed population.
  • The infection is caused by an organism called meningococcus, found in nasal and oral secretions. While the bacteria can be transmitted through close personal contact, such as sharing utensils, drinks, lipstick, lip balm or cigarettes; kissing on the lips; or sneezing or coughing on someone, it can only survive for a few minutes outside the body and is not transmitted casually.
  • It is important to remember that most people who become infected simply carry the organism harmlessly, without illness, and eliminate it from the nose and throat within a short time by developing natural immunity. At any one time, up to 10 percent of the normal population may be found carrying meningococcus without illness or symptoms.
  • Classroom and work situations, including custodial or dining activities, are not associated with a higher risk of illness.
  • Very rarely, an individual may develop an illness with signs and symptoms of fever, headache, sometimes with a rash, stiff neck, vomiting, lethargy or change in consciousness. These symptoms, or any worsening illness accompanied by fever, should prompt immediate medical evaluation at Gannett Health Center or Cayuga Medical Center.

What else can be done to prevent the spread of disease?

Prevention:

  • Avoid sharing eating or drinking utensils, lipstick, lip balm or cigarettes; kissing on the lips; sneezing or coughing in someone's face.
  • Wash your hands frequently.
  • Heavy consumption of alcohol, lack of sleep and other factors known to compromise the immune system may also play a role and should be avoided.
  • Consider getting vaccinated against meningococcal disease.

Treatment: Anyone who becomes ill with mild, flu-like symptoms should watch for more severe symptoms, such as fever, headache, stiff neck, vomiting, rash or changes in consciousness. If such symptoms appear, do not delay in getting medical care.

For medical care, call Gannett at (607) 255-5155 (during regular hours or after hours for phone consultation). Ask for meningococcal advice.

Information: For disease information, call the Tompkins County Health Department: (607) 274-6604, or visit the Gannett web site at http://www.gannett.cornell.edu.

Media Contact

Media Relations Office