Disease

Meningitis Outbreak at Princeton University, USA

The state declared that there was an outbreak at the school after a male student developed symptoms of meningococcal disease on November 9. The case was later confirmed, making it the seventh case since the spring.

Meningococcal disease can be spread from person to person. The bacteria are spread by exchanging respiratory and throat secretions during close contact (for example, coughing or kissing) or lengthy contact, especially if people are living in the same dorm or household. Many people carry the bacteria in their throats without getting meningococcal disease. Since so many people carry the bacteria, most cases of meningococcal disease appear to be random and aren’t linked to other cases. Although anyone can get meningococcal disease, adolescents and college freshmen who live in dormitories are at an increased risk. The bacteria that cause meningococcal disease are less infectious than the viruses that cause the flu.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has agreed to import Bexsero, a vaccine licensed in Europe and Australia that protects against meningitis B, a strain this is not covered by the shots given to college students in the U.S. Bexsero will be approved for use only in the Princeton community because of the seriousness of the outbreak.

The trustees of Princeton University are slated to discuss the issue this weekend and then the school will make a decision about whether to use the vaccine.