More meningitis

Two students at Santa Clara University in California have been diagnosed with meningococcal disease, which can sometimes result in a deadly infection of the brain and spinal cord, school officials said Wednesday.

One of the two students tested positive for meningococcal meningitis, a bacteria that causes a serious and sometimes fatal infection of the brain and spinal cord membranes. 

The second student was found to have a bloodstream infection known as meningococcemia, or septicemia, according to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.

"We are deeply concerned about the welfare of our students," said Father Michael Engh, president of the Catholic university, during a news conference. "Our hearts and prayers go out to our students."

The university learned of the infections when one undergraduate student became violently ill Sunday and was admitted to a hospital, according to the school. 

Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody said the second student was also feeling ill on Sunday but went to the hospital on Monday, and she urged the campus community to get preventative vaccines.