Meningococcal disease is a serious illness, and the incidence of meningitis outbreaks has risen on college campuses over the past five years. A bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and the spinal cord, meningococcal meningitis strikes about 2,600 Americans each year and can result in disability or death.

"The disease is transmitted through the air via sneezing or coughing and direct contact with persons infected with the disease," Dr. Joseph Siebold, director of UD's Student Health Services, says.

"Because college students often live in close quarters, such as residence halls or fraternity/ sorority houses, they have an increased risk of meningococcal disease. Outbreaks tend to peak in later winter and early spring, but they can occur any time school is in session," he says.

Some researchers suggest that the risk to students during these outbreaks is increased by lifestyle behaviors common to many college students, such as active and passive smoking, bar patronage and excessive alcohol consumption.

Over the last five years at the University of Delaware, there have been three individuals diagnosed with different forms of meningococcal disease. In 1996, there was one case of meningococcal pneumonia in a UD student, who was treated in a timely manner and recovered. In September 1999, a UD custodial technician died of meningococcemia, a serious blood-stream infection caused by the same bacteria that causes meningococcal meningitis.

This fall, the day before classes began, a 19-year-old UD student visited the Student Health Services with symptoms that included fever, chills, skin rash and body aches. This student was later diagnosed and treated at a Maryland hospital for meningococcemia and meningococcal meningitis. This disease progresses rapidly to a life threatening stage.

In October, while continuing to recuperate, the student returned to the University, on a reduced academic schedule.

As a precautionary measure, about 50 students who had close contact with this student were treated with a one-time dose of antibiotics. All UD students received a voice-mail message informing them that the student was being treated for bacterial meningitis and urging them to call Student Health Services if they had questions. Information was also posted at several points on the University's web site, including the Parents section, as a news item on the campus daily news page and on the closed-circuit cable TV system on campus.

This students's life-threatening experience emphasizes the value of vaccination against meningococcal disease for college students, Siebold says.

"For the last several years, the University of Delaware has been providing information about meningococcal disease and recommending vaccinations against it to students and their parents," Siebold says. The American College Health Association, which represents more than 900 universities, has recommended that all students entering universities consider vaccination. In June, the Center for Disease Control in a published recommendation (MMWR June 30, 2000/Vol. 49/No.RR-7) also supports the availability and benefits of vaccination for students wanting to reduce their risk of this disease. The information from the CDC report can be accessed at [http://www.cdc.gov/].

Although vaccination remains voluntary, the New Student Orientation program includes a presentation for parents and students on meningococcal disease, which encourages parents to consider vaccination, Siebold says. And, UD's immunization documentation form now lists meningococcal meningitis vaccine first under "recommended" immunizations.

Student Health Services provides a vaccine at a cost of $62 to students. Any student or parent with concerns or questions should contact Student Health Services at (302) 831-2226.