Public Health Notice for College Community

Posted at: 9/28/07, 7:30 p.m.

College officials have received notice that one of our students is suspected to have contracted meningococcal meningitis. Meningococcal meningitis is a serious disease that affects children and young adults. Meningococcal bacteria are spread only through close, prolonged contact with a person who is infected or who is a carrier. Close and/or intimate contact with an infected individual does call for preventative measures. People who have had intimate or close direct exposure to a person with meningococcal meningitis should receive prophylactic medication. The Division of Student Life has already notified those students whom we understand had close contact with the student, including off campus roommates.

Casual contact (eating in the same dining hall, attending classes together) does not pose a risk and most infectious disease experts do not recommend treatment for people with casual or random exposure. The bacteria are not transmitted by food handlers or through food. Meningococcal bacteria usually cannot live outside the body for more than a few minutes; people cannot be infected by being in a room where an infected individual has been.

Mercyhurst's Medical Director, Dr. David Kruszewski, in consultation with the local medical professionals, recommends antibiotic prophylaxis ONLY for those individuals who had close or intimate contact with the student. We do not believe there is any medical benefit to prophylaxis for those individuals who have had casual or random contact. However, we will be happy to discuss any questions with anyone who is concerned about possible exposure.

Please see the accompanying page for additional information about meningococcal disease.

Our hearts and prayers are with our students and their family as treatment continues at their hometown hospital.

The Cohen Student Health Center is normally open Monday-Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm and can be reached at (814) 824-2431. For an after-hours medical emergency, contact Police & Safety at (814) 824-2403. St. Vincent's Hospital Emergency Room can be contacted at (814) 452-5354. Additionally, the Cohen Student Health Center wil be open this Saturday 9/29/07 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and Sunday 9/30/07 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Adopted with permission from the University of Pennsylvania