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SAN DIEGO, Calif. – An undergraduate student at the University of San Diego has been hospitalized for an infection caused by the meningococcal bacteria and may have exposed others, San Diego County Health and Human Agency said Wednesday.
County health officials and SDSU student health services believe that the patient may have exposed other people to the infection during the sorority events last weekend. County and university health authorities have notified the patient's known close contacts and advised them to take antibiotics to prevent possible infections.
SDSU will offer free antibiotics to those exposed on Thursday from noon to 5 pm and Friday from 10 am to 4 pm at the Student Health Center.
"Meningococcal disease can be serious and fatal, but it does not spread by casual contact, so the risk for those who are not in close contact is minimal," said Dr. Wilma Wooten, Public Health Officer. County. "We want anyone who has been exposed to be alert to the symptoms and seek care if they happen."
Symptoms of the infection may include fever, headache, lethargy, stiff neck and rash.
Meningococcal bacteria usually spread through close contact, for example by kissing and sharing things like utensils and glasses that come in contact with a person's mouth. In addition to treating active infection with antibiotics, health officials advise adolescents to receive a vaccine to prevent meningococcal disease.
San Diego County has received eight cases of meningococcal disease in 2018. In the last five years, the county has received an average of 10 cases per year.
By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock
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