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Dear MSU students, faculty and staff,

On Nov. 9, Ingham County Health Department and Michigan State University were informed of a case of meningococcal (bacterial) disease in an MSU student living on campus. The student is recovering well and being treated at a local hospital. The Ingham County Health Department, in coordination with MSU, has conducted contact tracing and identified those who may have been in close contact with the individual and rendered the appropriate medical care.

We share this information with you today to make clear we believe there is minimal risk to our campus community . Bacterial meningitis is rare and not easily transmissible. Symptoms include high fever, headache and stiff neck. These symptoms can develop over several hours or they may take up to one to two days. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, aches and pains, rash, confusion, drowsiness and sensitivity to bright lights.

The disease is spread through contact with an infected person’s oral or nasal secretions, meaning saliva or mucus. Risk factors for spread of the illness include having been coughed or sneezed on, performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, eating from the same utensils, drinking from the same bottle or cup, or kissing an infected individual. Meningococcal disease is a medical emergency that requires treatment be started as soon as possible. Anyone experiencing symptoms of meningitis should be evaluated by a health care provider immediately. More information is available in the FAQ at the bottom of this letter.

If you have reason to believe you have been exposed, contact your personal health care provider or Olin Health Center at 517-353-4660 to discuss potential measures to protect against meningococcal disease. You may also call the Ingham County Health Department at 517-887-4308 (After hours call 517-342-9987) for help determining the best next steps. Common medications include antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and rifampin and are only recommended for those who are in close contact (e.g., roommates, working in close proximity for long periods) with someone diagnosed with meningococcal illness.

For those who have not yet received a meningococcal disease vaccination, seriously consider doing so. Vaccines are available through Olin Health Center or the Ingham County Health Department. Guidelines regarding vaccination against meningococcal disease are available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website , and a summary of the guidelines for college students is available on the the Ingham County Health Department’s website .

We know this information may cause some concern. It’s important to remember that as your university physician who is solely dedicated to the health and safety of our community, we believe there is minimal risk to our campus.

Sincerely,

Michael Brown, M.D. 
 

University Physician


 

 

For more information about meningitis, please review these frequently asked questions:

Q: What is meningitis? 
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that covers the brain and spinal cord. People sometimes refer to it as spinal meningitis. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. The Michigan State University student was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, which can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss or learning disabilities. However, the student has already recovered and has not experienced any severe effects.

Q: What are the signs and symptoms of bacterial meningitis? 
High fever, headache and stiff neck are common symptoms of meningitis in anyone older than 2 years old. These symptoms can develop over several hours or they may take one to two days. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, aches and pains, rash, confusion, drowsiness and sensitivity to bright lights. As the disease progresses, patients may have seizures.

Q: Is bacterial meningitis contagious? 
Yes, some forms of bacterial meningitis are contagious. The bacteria can mainly be spread from person to person through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions. This can occur through coughing, kissing and sneezing. Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as things like the common cold or the flu. Importantly, the bacteria are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. However, sometimes the bacteria that cause meningitis have spread to other people who have had close or prolonged contact with a patient with meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis, also called meningococcal meningitis. People in the same household or daycare center, or anyone with direct contact with a patient’s oral secretions (such as partners and spouses) would be considered at increased risk of getting the infection. People who qualify as close contacts of a person with meningitis caused by N. meningitidis should receive antibiotics to prevent them from getting the disease.

Q: What causes meningitis? 
Certain bacteria and viruses cause meningitis, and these germs are spread from person to person. Close contacts of persons with some types of bacterial meningitis such as that caused by the germ meningococcus are at a high risk of developing serious infections (including meningitis) in the next few days after exposure. Note that many people carry these germs in their upper respiratory tract (they are “carriers”) and most of them never become ill.

Q: If I have questions about symptoms, who should I call? 
If you have questions about symptoms, call your primary care physician or Olin Health Center at 517-353-4660.

Q: Are COVID-19 symptoms and meningitis symptoms the same or similar? 
While both conditions can cause fever and fatigue, serious meningitis often progresses more rapidly with stiff neck and headache. COVID-19 more often has upper respiratory symptoms including cough and shortness of breath.

Q: Can coronavirus cause meningitis? 
While many viruses can cause meningitis, coronaviruses, including the virus variants that cause COVID-19, do not cause meningitis.

Q: How is bacterial meningitis diagnosed? 
Early diagnosis and treatment are very important. If symptoms occur, the patient should see a doctor immediately. The diagnosis is usually made by detecting bacteria from a sample of spinal fluid. The spinal fluid is obtained by performing a spinal tap, in which a needle is inserted into an area in the lower back where fluid in the spinal canal can be collected. Identifying the type of bacteria responsible is important for selecting the correct antibiotics.

Q: Can bacterial meningitis be treated? 
Intravenous, or IV, antibiotics are used to treat bacterial meningitis. The earlier the treatment is started, the better the outcome. Early treatment is extremely important for good recovery. While steroids have been shown to be helpful in treating bacterial meningitis in infants and children, this treatment is used less often in adults.

Q: Are there vaccines against bacterial meningitis? 
Yes, there are vaccines that prevent most types of bacterial meningitis, and these vaccines are safe and highly effective.

Q: Are MSU students required to be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis? 
MSU students are not required to get the meningitis vaccine, but they are strongly urged to do so.

Q: At what age should people get vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis? 
Meningococcal vaccines are routinely recommended for people 11-18 years of age.

Q: Can someone get a meningococcal vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time? 
Yes, you can get both vaccines at the same time.

Q: Can COVID-19 vaccines cause meningitis? 
No, meningitis is not a side effect of the COVID-19 vaccines.

Q: How does contact tracing work? 
When a person contracts an infectious disease, public health experts ask the person for a list of people who they have recently been in close contact with. Contact tracing is the effort to get in touch with the people on that list and let them know that they were potentially exposed. From there, they are issued guidance on symptoms to monitor for and what to do if they aren’t feeling well.