Two Prairie View A&M University students were recently diagnosed with the deadly virus meningitis and steps are now being taken to educate students about the disease and prevent it from spreading.
Last Friday, the office of Institutional Relations and Public Service, issued a health advisory to all students via e-mail. Despite the advisory, many students were not certain of the circumstances surrounding the outbreak.
Freshman Jessica Whitley, said, “I don’t feel the medical center did enough to tell us about the disease, I had to hear about the infection through word-of-mouth.”
Though many students were concerned about the possible risks of infection, Tyra Metoyer, director of university relations, urged students to remain calm. “If you have not already been contacted about being possibly infected, it is unlikely you are at a high risk to become infected” she said.
Shortly after the original diagnosis, the office of Institutional Relations and Public Service contacted every student in close contact with the infected persons and administered the proper treatment.
The department of Health and Counseling Services has provided free antibiotics for any students who feel they may be at risk. “Meningitis may have an incubation period of upwards of 21 days, but we believe we have been able to provide medicine to all who were at risk,” Metoyer said.
For students who wish to err on the side of caution, vaccination shots are also available at the on-campus clinic for $90.00. Literature was passed out at the health clinic to educate students about the virus.
Because of the recent infection, the Campus Activities Board was forced to postpone two upcoming events, speed dating scheduled for last Friday and the ‘I’m Black and I’m Proud’ party scheduled for last Saturday night. No other postponements or cancellations of student activities are expected in the coming weeks.
Meningitis is a bacterial disease which affects the brain and spinal cord. It is most commonly spread between people who are in close contact, such as in classrooms or university dorms. Unlike viral meningitis, bacterial meningitis can only be spread through saliva and other bodily fluids, but it still poses a risk in highly populated areas. Teenagers and college students account for nearly 30 percent of all reported cases in the United States, but is unlikely to spread if one avoids sharing eating utensils, beverages or cigarettes.
Though the names of the students who were diagnosed from Prairie View were not available to be released to the public, they are both expected to make a full recovery.