Meningitis confirmed in UW-Whitewater student’s illness
Released: April 22, 2002
A first-year student at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is in critical but stable condition today at University Hospital in Madison after becoming ill over the weekend with meningococcal meningitis.
Public health officials emphasize that this form of bacterial meningitis is infrequent. Individuals on campus who are considered at-risk have already been contacted and given preventive antibiotics when warranted.
Meningitis, which can be caused by virus or bacteria, is an inflammation of the lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
Meningococcal meningitis is the most serious form of the disease and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly with antibiotics.
The disease is contracted through intimate or direct exposure, such as kissing, sharing eating utensils, or contact with the infected person’s saliva or respiratory secretions. Persons who have recently had this type of exposure can take a brief course of antibiotics to prevent them from getting ill.
Symptoms of meningitis include a fever of 101 degrees or higher, severe headaches, neck and back stiffness, rashes and mental changes. The incidence rate for bacterial meningitis is approximately one in 100,000 people, and when diagnosed early and treated with antibiotics the majority experience recovery. About 50 cases of meningococcal disease occur in Wisconsin each year.
A custodian discovered the student early Sunday morning (April 21) in the hallway at Tutt Hall, a residence hall on campus, in a state of medical distress. The student, who lives in Bigelow Hall on campus, had been staying with a friend over the weekend when he became ill. Police and emergency crews were contacted and the student was taken about 7:30 a.m. to Fort Atkinson Hospital. He was transferred to University Hospital once it appeared that meningitis was involved.
Campus health and student affairs employees, as well as officials from the Walworth County Public Health Department, took active steps beginning Sunday to identify any individuals who had been in close recent contact with the student for evaluation. Bacterial meningitis is spread through intimate or direct exposure to the patient’s secretions. The Centers for Disease Control guidelines recommend one dose of the antibiotic Cipro to those who have had such exposure.
On Sunday, a number of people were given antibiotics, including two custodians, two emergency workers, the student’s roommate and the close friend he was staying with at Tutt Hall, and members of the fraternity Phi Sigma. The student had been pledging to the fraternity and had prepared food for fraternity members on Friday evening.
Residence life workers went door-to-door at Tutt and Bigelow halls on Sunday night to notify students of the case, provide a handout about bacterial meningitis and help address any fears or rumors. Antibiotics are not recommended for the general population of the dormitories, but any student with heightened anxiety or concerns is encouraged to call University Health and Counseling Services at (262) 472-1300, and pick up a risk assessment checklist from the front window.
“The most critical step for us has been to quickly identify those who might need preventive antibiotics,” Macek said. “But equally important is to make sure the campus community has accurate information and is not unduly fearful of exposure.”
A number of helpful Web sites are available on meningitis, including the Centers for Disease Control at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm . Another site at UW-Madison’s University Health Services covers frequently asked questions about the disease: http://www.uhs.wisc.edu/ex/selfcare/resource/meningitis.php
- Brian Mattmiller ,npa@uww.edu
