OU Student Admitted For Probable Bacterial Meningitis

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Source: http://www2.nbc4i.com/cmh/news/loca...tted_for_probable_bacterial_meningitis/31537/

OU Student Admitted For Probable Bacterial Meningitis
By Donna Willis | Multimedia Content Producer
Published: February 9, 2010

ATHENS, Ohio?Ohio University has reported that a sophomore is under observation for a probable case of bacterial meningitis.

NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS from the Ohio University Web site.

The male student, who lives in Bromley Hall, was admitted yesterday to a medical facility in Columbus.

School officials have been in contact with the student and reports that he is in good spirits.

Meningitis is an infection of fluid surrounding the spinal cord and brain.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bacterial meningitis?though rare and not as transmissible as the common cold or flu?can pass from one person to another through contact with saliva, such as by touching, kissing, drinking from the same cup, being very near someone who sneezes, or having prolonged contact with the infected person.

Studies show that meningitis bacteria can?t live outside of the body for more than a few minutes. Therefore, infection from the environment is not likely.

Common symptoms include severe headache, stiff neck, fever, disorientation, lethargy, nausea and vomiting. Because symptoms mimic more common illnesses, people should seek immediate treatment if these symptoms develop?especially if they occur suddenly.

?Even though this case has not yet been confirmed, we have decided to err on the side of caution, making certain that close contacts are aware and informed,? Vice President Kent Smith said.

University employees also thoroughly cleaned the room, bathroom and common areas in the student?s residence hall.

The Student Health Service is providing the preventative antibiotic to students who may wish to receive it.

Go to http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/bacterial/index.htm for more information on meningitis.

 

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Re: OU Student Admitted For Probable Bacterial Meningitis

Source: http://www.dispatch.com/live/conten...02/16/ohio-university-meningitis.html?sid=101

Third bacterial meningitis case suspected at Ohio University
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 3:04 PM
By Mary Beth Lane
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

An Ohio University student is hospitalized in Columbus with a probable case of bacterial meningitis.

Andrea Robinson, a freshman from northeastern Ohio, is the third OU student this school year to be stricken. In October and earlier this month, two male students contracted bacterial meningitis, Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi said today. Both of the previous students made full recoveries.

There is no apparent connection between Robinson, who lives in Wray House, and the sophomore who was diagnosed and treated this month, who lives at Bromley Hall, Lombardi said...

 

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Re: OU Student Admitted For Probable Bacterial Meningitis

Source: http://www.daytondailynews.com/news...-case-in-a-year-559104.html?showComments=true

Meningitis death at Ohio U. is 7th case in a year

By Dave Larsen, Staff Writer Updated 9:20 PM Saturday, February 20, 2010

DAYTON ? The death of an Ohio University student on Wednesday, Feb. 17, from complications from bacterial meningitis ?really hit me,? said Mary Crane of Bellbrook.

Andrea Robinson, 18, an Ohio freshman from Cleveland Heights, died Wednesday at a Columbus hospital where she was being treated for bacterial meningitis, according to university officials.

Crane?s son, Michael, an OU student, was hospitalized in February 2009 with bacterial meningitis at Kettering Memorial Hospital.

?We realize how close we were to that last year,? Crane said Friday regarding Robinson?s death. ?That?s got to be hard on the parents.?

Michael, then a 19-year-old freshman, was the first of seven cases of bacterial meningitis at the Ohio University campus in Athens since February 2009. The school has seen two cases this month, including Robinson.

?I feel that OU needs to find the cause,? Crane said.

The Ohio Department of Health is monitoring the OU situation with the Athens City-County Health Department, said Jen House, ODH spokeswoman.

Each case has been examined for links to see whether the disease is sporadic or has spread from one person to another, said Dr. Mary DiOrio, an ODH medical epidemiologist.

?We really need to get a good understanding of whether or not there are relations here,? DiOrio said. ?We are going to be doing more laboratory assessment.?

Local public health and university officials have focused on identifying people in close contact with the cases to give them antibiotics so that they don?t become ill, DiOrio said.

Ryan Lombardi, Ohio University?s dean of students, did not respond to several calls seeking comment.

The state of Ohio has seen an average of 42 cases of meningococcal disease annually since 2005, according to ODH data.

Ohio law prohibits colleges and universities from allowing students to live in on-campus housing unless the student or their parent discloses whether the student has been vaccinated against meningococcal disease.

However, Ohio does not require students to receive the meningitis vaccine. ?It?s up to the universities,? House said.

College freshmen living in dormitories are at increased risk for meningococcal disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nationally, about 100 to 125 meningitis cases occur each year on college campuses, according to the American College Health Association.

Originally diagnosed with a sinus infection, Michael Crane was hospitalized for five days last year and spent another week recovering at home before returning to OU. He?s now ?doing great,? his mother said.

?We went through all kinds of tests this summer ? neurological tests, hearing ? everything?s just fine,? she said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2419 or dlarsen@Dayton
DailyNews.com.