Princeton University is officially facing an outbreak of meningitis. New Jersey health officials made the declaration following a seventh possible case on Sunday, CBS News reported.
The infections began in March, and have claimed at least one student per month until June, according to the New Jersey Department of Health's press release. The sixth victim fell ill in October. Three of the students have recovered, one has "fully recovered", one is recovering (the student from October), and the progress of one student (who is from another state) is being monitored by that state's health department. The diagnosis of the most recent case is still being determined.
"Given that we have 6 individuals diagnosed with Neisseria meningitidis serogroup (type) B in a short period of time, in an abundance of caution, we are considering this an outbreak," New Jersey health officials stated.
Meningitis, or meningococcal disease, is a "severe infection of the blood or the meninges (the covering of the brain and spinal cord)," according to the press release. Symptoms such as fever, headache, and neck stiffness begin tamely and within 1 to 10 days of exposure. Quickly, their severity increases to a point that, if left untreated, could lead to shock, death, and brain damage. Vaccines exist for strains of meningitis, A, C, Y, and W-135, but none are legally approved for B, the version currently affecting Princeton, according to the press release.
The New Jersey Department of Health doesn't recommend anything as dramatic as closing the school or canceling events. Instead, its decision to designate the group of six cases as an outbreak is intended to educate the broader community and prevent the disease's spread.
The spread of Meningitis, like many bacterial infections, is more common when people live in close quarters like a college dormitory. Meningitis is especially dangerous at colleges, however, because it typically requires prolonged contact between the bacteria and its host.
Many people actually carry the disease in their throats, and most of the time it remains at that safe distance; according to the press release, it's less contagious than the flu. To prevent its spread, the NJ Department of Health advises students to take the usual precautions: cover mouths, avoid sharing utensils, and wash hands.
