Meningitis vaccinations urged at WSU

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Meningitis vaccinations urged at WSU

Saturday, May 18, 2002

By GREGORY ROBERTS

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Following a third diagnosis of meningitis-related diseases among its

freshmen, Washington State University is urging its 16,000 undergraduates to

get vaccinated before they return to the Pullman campus in the fall.

All three students received medical treatment and are expected to recover

fully, said WSU spokeswoman Sue Hinz.

The student most recently infected, a 19-year-old man from Snohomish County,

was released Thursday from s Memorial Hospital in Edmonds after a

five-day stay, she said.

The two other students, both female, fell ill on campus this spring. The

first case, in March, was meningitis, an infection of the fluid that

surrounds the spinal cord and brain.

Both the second case, in April, and the most recent case involved

meningococcemia, a blood infection. The diseases result from attacks by the

same type of bacteria and are treated with antibiotics.

Meningococcal disease occurs slightly more often than normal among college

freshmen living in dormitory settings, according to studies by the federal

Centers for Disease Control. The WSU students affected were living in

sororities and a fraternity.

Studies also indicate that active or passive tobacco consumption, bar

patronage and heavy drinking increase risk.

Meningococcal cases peak in late winter and early spring. Symptoms can mimic

the flu, and include high fever, headaches, neck stiffness, confusion,

nausea, lethargy and rashes.

The diseases strike about 3,000 Americans annually, resulting in about 300

deaths, even with early administration of antibiotics. About an equal number

of survivors suffer mental retardation, hearing loss or amputation.

The bacteria are spread through the air in respiratory secretions, such as

by coughing or sneezing, through kissing and possibly through oral contact

with shared items such as drinking glasses or cigarettes. But the disease is

less contagious than the common cold or the flu, and is not spread by casual

contact or by breathing the air where an infected person has been.

Housemates and recent sexual partners of those infected should receive

antibiotics as a precaution, health officials advise. Health officials in

Pullman and Whitman County are attempting to reach close contacts of the

Snohomish County freshman to administer antibiotics.

WSU is offering vaccinations for students living on campus this summer, Hinz

said, and may extend that service to students returning in the fall.

Students not currently living on campus need not seek vaccinations until

they return, state health officials said.

In the past two years, 18 states have passed laws requiring meningococcal

vaccinations for college students, according to Mike Kepferle of the

Meningitis Prevention and Awareness Children's Trust, an advocacy group.

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P-I reporter can be reached at 206-448-8022 or

gregoryroberts@...