Community Corner

State Declares Meningitis Outbreak at Princeton University

Despite collaboration between the local, regional, state and federal health officials, there's some concern on the Princeton Board of Health about whether enough is being done.

 

The New Jersey Department of Health has declared a meningitis outbreak at Princeton University, one day after school officials confirmed the fourth case since March. 

Yet despite collaboration between the state Department of Health, local officials, Princeton University Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there's some concern on the Princeton Board of Health about whether enough is being done. 

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Board Member Dr. Laura Kahn said there's never been a case of bacterial meningitis during her board tenure. 

"It's now 2013 and we've got four cases in just two months," Kahn said. "I think it's statistically unlikely it's that random." 

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Now she, and at least two fellow board members, are asking to see the raw data on the outbreak, including the epidemiological information about each case and the questions students were asked during the health investigation. 

There is some concern because of an outbreak at Ohio University that went on for two years, board members said. 

The latest case at Princeton was confirmed on Monday after a male student who lives out of state develped symptoms on Sunday on his way home for the summer. He is currently hospitalized in another state. 

The first three cases have all been identified as the identical strain of Neisseria meningiditis serogroup (type) B, also referred to a meningococcal meningitis. There is no vaccine for this strain, although they can be treated with antibiotics.

  • The first case was a female student who was away on Spring Break in March and developed symptoms when she returned to the area. She went directly to the hospital and has since recovered. 
  • The second case was a visitor to campus between April 6-8, who was diagnosed after returning to another state. That case is being followed by another state's health department. 
  • The third case is a male student diagnosed on May 7. He is recovering. 

There's no word if the latest case on campus is the same strain as the other three, but Princeton Board of Health Chairman Dr. George DiFerdinando, Jr. said officials are treating it as though it is. 

The investigation has thus far shown no connections between the four cases, he said, adding that he has complete faith in the current investigation into the university outbreak.

As with the first three cases, University officials are working to identify and notify anyone who may have had close contact with the student who has fallen ill. Those identified will be given antibiotics, DiFerdinando said. 

"What the assessment is by the CDC- which is the same as Ohio- is that it’s not effective to treat thousands of people, it won’t work," DiFerdinando said. “I have absolutely no reason to believe that CDC hasn’t done epidemiological tracing correctly and (I have confidence) in the level of expertise in the work that they’re doing."

State health officials are not recommending cancellation of any activities or events on campus and say there's no reason for community members to avoid contact with the University or its students. 

Bacterial meningitis is contagious, but generally transmitted through direct exchange of respiratory and throat secretions by close personal contact, such as coughing, sharing drinks, kissing and being in close proximity for an extended period. 

Symptoms may include a sudden fever, headache and stiff neck and may include other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light, and confusion, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To minimize exposure, community members are encouraged to follow the following practices:

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. 
  • Wash your hands. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Clean your hands before eating. 
  • Avoid sharing utensils, water bottles or other items contaminated by saliva or respiratory secretions. 
  • Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake. 
  • Eat healthy foods. 
  • Get plenty of rest. 


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