Update (7:45 p.m. on Jan. 17): The student’s condition is stabilizing.
Update (1:49 p.m. on Jan. 17): The student is unresponsive and in septic shock, health officials reported. If she does recover there is significant risk of neurological damage. Lane County Health has heard nothing about any other cases.
Friday afternoon, Lane County Public Health was notified of a student at the University of Oregon who was diagnosed yesterday with Neisseria meningococcemia, a bacterial infection responsible for meningitis.
The student went to the hospital after coming home from class when she was not feeling well, according to Jason Davis at Lane County Health Department. She has since been transferred to another hospital, where she remains under treatment. While the student has not been publicly identified, the school has notified and offered prophylaxis to approximately 800 people who may have experienced sufficient exposure to the individual to be at risk for infection. Meningitis can be spread through respiratory droplets and prolonged contact with an infected person. Davis said that could mean about four cumulative hours in a week. It is possible to be vaccinated against meningitis, however.
Davis said he did not know whether or not the patient had been immunized.
Neisseria meningococcemia is the bacteria responsible for meningitis, which spreads from the fluid in the spine and brain through the bloodstream, according to Davis. It can be life-threatening. Early symptoms include a stiff neck, fever or rashes. Anyone who reports such symptoms should see a doctor immediately.
Lane County Public Health will continue to release updates on the patient’s health.