Sioux City Journal

2 cases of meningitis reported at Buena Vista

3:30 PM

By Blake Branch Journal staff reporter | Posted: Monday, October 16, 2006

Two cases of bacterial meningitis have been confirmed on the Buena Vista University campus, said Cathy Grothe, university director of marketing and communications.

Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. The most common causes of meningitis are viral infections that usually resolve without treatment. However, bacterial infections of the meninges are extremely serious illnesses, and can result in death or brain damage even if treated. Meningitis also is caused by fungi, chemical irritation, drug allergies and tumors.

Last Thursday, the university reported its first case of a male student having meningitis. The student, whose name was not released, has been treated since then and is back on campus, Grothe said Monday.

"What our health department did in collaboration with the Buena Vista Public Health Department was put together a primary contact list who that individual (the first case) had contact with the previous weekend," said Grothe. "We accepted those and called them into the health department for assessment."

The second case occurred Sunday to another male student. Late Sunday the results from the lab culture came back positive. The patient is currently hospitalized in Sioux City, although Grothe would not say where. According to Grothe, the university has yet to receive an update on his condition nor has the hospital contacted the Buena Vista Department of Public Health. Grothe said both cases are separate and they don't believe that are related to one another.

In terms of informing the campus about the current situation and who may potentially be at risk, Grothe said the university has been "very proactive" with their communication to the staff, faculty and students. Along with this direct communication, the university has also been posting updates on its website. According to Grothe, the cases of meningitis are not affecting the day-to-day operations of the university, sporting events, activities or classes.

Story Comments

Bob Werner wrote on Oct 18, 2006 1:46 PM:

" Thank you for writing this article and brining attention to this disease that exists in our high school and college age communities. I lost my beautiful 20 year old daughter, Becky, to bacterial meningitis on Feb 25th, 2004. Becky attended a local technical college in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She started with flu-like symptoms and within 39 hours she died. We have created the Becky Werner Meningitis Foundation in her honor and are focusing on Meningitis awareness and education. Please visit our website to read Becky's story and to get links to informational sites for Meningitis. www.stampoutmeningitis.com PLEASE GET VACCINATED! I love you Becky! Your Daddy. "

Gail F. Bailey wrote on Oct 17, 2006 9:21 PM:

" I worked for 9 years at Buena Vista College/Clarinda Campus, so this is near and dear to my heart. My 20-year old son, Eddy, died from meningitis on Nov. 12, 2002 while a student at the Univ. Of Wisconsin Madison. Eddy would travel to me to graduation ceremonies each spring at Buena Vista. Please Please educate yourselves about this horrible disease. Also, perhaps you can have an Awareness Week or day in the early fall so people are prepared for when this bacteria raises its ugly head. I would do anything to have my son back with me. Please be vaccinated ASAP. Gail Bailey "

Frankie Milley wrote on Oct 17, 2006 8:25 PM:

" I am Frankie Milley with Meningitis Angels. www.meningitis-angels.org I lost my only child, Ryan to bacterial meningitis. meningitisangels.org/ryanhb.htm We have a wonderful support group for families dealing with meningitis. health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MeningitisAngels/ Below you will find the newest recommendation on prevention and the warning signs of meningitis. Sincerely, Frankie Milley, Founder/Director of Meningitis Angels PO Box 448 Porter, Texas 77365 ALERT Do you know the early signs of meningitis and blood poisoning which could improve detection of the disease and save lives? Unrelenting fever, leg pain, cold hands and feet and abnormal skin color can develop within (12 hours) after infection long before the more classic signs of the illness such as a rash, headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light and impaired consciousness, debilitation or death. Anyone can get meningitis especially infants, children and teens. What parents should know: According to ACIP/CDC children ages 11 years through college freshmen should be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis. Infants and toddlers should be vaccinated against pneumococcal meningitis. "