Meningitis outbreak

Tests confirm two Santa Clara University students have meningococcal meningitis SANTA CLARA -- In a sober announcement that is shaking the faith inside Silicon Valley's most prominent Jesuit institution, Santa Clara County public health officials late Tuesday night confirmed that not one but two Santa Clara University students have tested positive for meningococcal meningitis. Moreover, the students contracted the serogroup B strain of the illness, which doctors say many college students are not protected against because the vaccines for that serotype were only approved by the federal government in late 2014 and early 2015. The first undergraduate SCU student reportedly became ill on campus Sunday and was admitted to an area hospital. The health department now says it learned on Tuesday that a second undergraduate was also admitted to a hospital, and has a confirmed case of the same serogroup B strain. University administrators have alerted faculty, staff, students and their parents about the cases, and are advising them to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis. Initial symptoms are similar to the flu, and include a stiff neck, headache, and high fever. Patients may also have nausea, vomiting, a dark purple or red rash, increased sensitivity to light, and confusion. The university is urging anyone with these symptoms to seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms can occur up to 10 days after exposure, but three to four days is more typical, public health officials said in a statement.  Meanwhile, the school is working with the health department to identify any students at increased risk of infection -- particularly anyone who had close or prolonged contact with either student in the week before each became ill -- to provide them with preventive antibiotics.  No further information about either student was released. Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious illness caused by bacteria that can infect the blood or areas around the brain and spinal cord. After infancy, older adolescents and young adults have the highest rate of meningococcal disease. The bacteria are spread from person to person through air droplets. Close contact such as kissing, coughing, smoking, and living in crowded conditions (like dorms) can increase a person's risk of getting the disease. Experts say about one in 10 people who get meningococcal disease will die from it even if treated. Up to one in five survivors will lose a limb, become deaf, suffer brain damage, or have other complications. About 1,000 people contract meningococcal disease each year in the U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The disease occurs year-round, but peaks in late winter and early spring. The CDC said current rates of meningococcal disease are at historic lows, something public health officials believe is due to the increased use of meningococcal vaccines.  Still, the National Meningitis Association said many teens have not received the meningococcal serogroup B vaccine, because the two vaccines -- Trumenba and Bexsero -- were only recently licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2014 and 2015. The county health department is recommending that any student who has not received either Bexsero or Trumenba be vaccinated, and will be working with the university to vaccinate students on campus this week. Santa Clara University will sponsor free vaccine clinics from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at the concourse level of Leavey Center. Overall, 5 to 10 percent of the U.S. population has the meningococcal bacteria in their throat, but only a few of them get sick. Public health experts says no one knows why some people get sick and others don't. Contact Tracy Seipel at 408-920-5343. Follow her at Twitter.com/taseipel.