Update: March 17, 2008
Two students reportedly doing well

Both Cornell students who had recently been hospitalized with meningitis continue to improve, according to Janet Corson-Rikert, M.D., executive director of Gannett Health Services.

Both cases were confirmed to have been caused by the type B strain of meningococcal (bacterial) meningitis, which is not covered by either Menomune or Menactra, the current meningococcal vaccines.

Corson-Rikert said all identified contacts (people with whom the students were in recent close contact) have been alerted. The period of elevated risk for more cases will continue for another couple of weeks, and the university will remain alert for any reports of symptomatic students or others in the Cornell community.

A second Cornell student has been hospitalized with presumed meningococcal (bacterial) meningitis in the past week. The most recent case is a male student who was hospitalized at Cayuga Medical Center (CMC) March 13 and is in stable condition. On March 8, a 21-year-old student was hospitalized at CMC and is currently recovering in a hospital near her home.

Tompkins County Health Department officials are working closely with Cornell and Gannett Health Services staff to identify people with whom the students recently have been in close contact to arrange the delivery of preventive medication. In conjunction with the New York State Department of Health, they are pursuing the possibility of a connection between the two cases.

Anyone who attended the following parties should seek preventive antibiotics as soon as possible:

Members of the Cornell community should seek medical attention if they develop such signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease as fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, rash, irritability and mental confusion.

Meningococcal meningitis (not to be confused with viral meningitis) is a serious -- though rare -- infectious disease that can cause permanent health problems or death. Meningococcal disease is transmitted through the air via droplets of respiratory secretions and direct contact with infected persons. Individuals can reduce their risk by avoiding direct contact (kissing or being sneezed or coughed on) and oral contact with shared items like glasses, bottles, food, utensils, cigarettes, pipes, lipsticks and lip balms.

A vaccine can reduce the risk of infection with certain types meningococcal disease. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all adolescents should be immunized against meningococcal disease. The American College Health Association supports these recommendations, stating college students under 25 years of age may choose to be vaccinated to reduce their risk. The vaccine, given in one shot with minimal side effects, is available at Gannett Health Services for a fee to members of the Cornell community.

For more information about meningococcal disease and vaccination, see the Gannett Health Services Web site: 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 consult by phone with Gannett 24 hours a day at (607) 255-5155.