Princeton University meningitis outbreak: Seventh case reported

A meningitis outbreak has been declared at Princeton University after a seventh case of the disease was reported at the Ivy League school since March, according to New Jersey Department of Health.
A male university student living in campus housing was diagnosed and hospitalized Sunday morning after developing symptoms of the disease on Saturday, according to the health department.
Tests are currently underway to determine if this latest student is related to six cases associated with the University since the spring, according to university spokesman Martin Mbugua.
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Five of those six students have since recovered from a type B strain of the bacteria. One student diagnosed in October with the same B strain is still recovering, according to the health department.
State law requires that all students living on campus receive a meningitis vaccination which protects students from most strains of the bacteria, except for type B which does not have a vaccine licensed in the U.S.
All seven students were vaccinated according to Mbugua who stated that four of the six individuals were living in campus dorms but there was no residential connection between them.
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Bacterial meningitis can be spread by kissing, sharing drinking glasses, smoking materials, eating utensils or drinking from a common source, such as a punch bowl.

The university is working to encourage student hygiene, with frequent hand washing, use of hand sanitizer and coughing into a sleeve or tissue.
Depending on the infection's cause, it can get better within a couple weeks on its own or can become life-threatening requiring antibiotic treatment.
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"We hope that by considering this an outbreak, we will increase awareness and prompt early case recognition among members of the Princeton community and healthcare providers," stated the health department in a release.
Meningitis outbreaks haven't been exclusive to Princeton, however.
A particularly lethal outbreak in New York City has sickened 22 people and killed seven since 2010 due to its unique strain according to the City's health department.
Of those cases 10 were specifically in Brooklyn to men having intimate relations with other men. More than half of those men had HIV.
The strain is said to kill one out of every three people, rather than one out of every five like other strains.
“Meningitis symptoms usually come on quickly, and the disease can be fatal if not treated right away,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley in March. “Vaccination is the best defense. I urge all men who meet these criteria – regardless of whether they identify as gay – to get vaccinated now and protect themselves from this disease before it is too late.”