A 21-year-old female Cornell student was hospitalized at Cayuga Medical Center March 8 with presumed meningococcal (bacterial) meningitis. She remains in intensive care in a hospital close to her home.

Second Cornell student hospitalized

No other recent cases of meningococcal disease have been reported on campus or in Ithaca. Gannett Health Services is working closely with the Tompkins County Health Department to monitor the situation to protect the community, said Gannett Health Services Executive Director Janet Corson-Rikert, M.D.

On March 9, county health department staff, in coordination with Gannett and the student's friends, contacted individuals with whom the student had recent close contact to assess potential risk and provide preventive antibiotics as appropriate. Only those who had direct exposure to the student's nose or throat secretions (through such activities as kissing, sharing drinks or eating utensils, food, lip balms, etc.) are considered at elevated risk and in need of preventive medication. People who have been in the same room with the student without this close contact are not considered at elevated risk; nor are those who have been close to people who have had direct contact with the ill student.

Gannett Health Services offered a special clinic March 9 to consult with students and provide preventive antibiotics for close contacts. About 60 students sought consulting services, March 9-10.

Meningococcal disease is rare, with an estimated 100 to 125 cases annually on U.S. college campuses. The illness is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis and should not be confused with viral meningitis.

According to Corson-Rikert, the disease develops within two to five days of exposure in most cases. At any given time, up to 10 percent of the population carries the bacterium without signs of illness; researchers believe that variations in individuals' immune responses may determine who will develop serious illness.

Symptoms include high fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, rash, irritability and mental confusion. People with these symptoms should seek immediate medical care.

A vaccine that reduces risk of infection is recommended for adolescents, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The American College Health Association supports these recommendations, stating that college students under age 25 may choose to be vaccinated to reduce their risk. The vaccine, given in one injection with minimal side effects, is available for members of the Cornell community at Gannett Health Services.

For more information, see Gannett's Web site at http://www.gannett.cornell.edu or contact the Tompkins County Health Department at 607-274-6616. Students with concerns about symptoms of illness or exposure risk can call Gannett 24 hours a day at 607-255-5155.