On Saturday, a Cornell student was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis, a rare disease that affects 100 to 125 students annually on college campuses. She was taken from Cayuga Medical Center to an intensive care facility closer to her home.
Though the disease is contagious, only people who were close proximity to the student are at risk. Gannett Health Services, along with the county health department, worked to examine those who had been in contact with the student on Sunday. Students who have been in the same room as the sick student are not at risk, and do not require antibiotics.
However, The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that all college students be immunized by taking the vaccine, which is available at Gannett. Dr. Corson-Rikert, executive director at Gannett, said in a press release that an infected individual passes the disease through nose and throat secretions.
Those with questions can contact Gannett at 607-255-5155, or visit their website at www.gannett.cornell.edu [1].
Links:
[1] http://www.gannett.cornell.edu