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Dear MSU Students, Faculty and Staff,
On Jan. 26, Ingham County Health Department and Michigan State University were informed of a case of meningococcal (bacterial) meningitis in a non-MSU student who interacted with some members of our community and others. The University of Michigan student attended an off-campus event on Saturday, Jan. 22, hosted by Sigma Beta Rho at Club Rush, located at 131 Albert Ave. in East Lansing. The student did not start experiencing symptoms until Monday evening, Jan. 24.
Immediate antibiotic treatment (prophylaxis) is critical for those who attended this event. This treatment is being made available for free through the health department and the university in the MSU Room on the third floor of the MSU Union Building from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28 and Saturday, Jan. 29. Free parking is available in MSU’s parking ramp No. 6 on Grand River Avenue next to the MSU Union.
If you have reason to believe you have been exposed, you also may contact your health care provider or Olin Student Health Services at 517-353-4660 to receive prophylaxis against meningococcal meningitis. Common medications include ciprofloxacin and rifampin. If you do not have a health care provider, you can call the Ingham County Health Department at 517-887-4308 (after hours call 517-342-9987) to discuss how to be prescribed prophylaxis.
As soon as the infectious disease was suspected, our public health teams began working closely with campus partners, the Washtenaw County Health Department, and University of Michigan officials to identify and reach out to those individuals who may have been in close contact with the identified case and could potentially be at risk.
We share this information with you today to make clear we believe there is limited risk to our campus. Bacterial meningitis is rare and not easily transmissible. At this time, no MSU students have shown symptoms suggesting an infection. Again, public health experts are working diligently to identify those who are at potential risk.
In addition to this message, we are working with members of the media to promote awareness of the potential exposure at the event, as this event had roughly 250 people – affiliated with both the East Lansing community and MSU – in attendance.
For those who have not yet received a meningococcal disease vaccination, you are encouraged to do so. Vaccines are available through Olin Health Center or the Ingham County Health Department. Guidelines regarding vaccination against meningococcal disease are available at cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/mening/#vacc, and a summary of the guidelines for college students are available at hd.ingham.org.
We know this information may cause some concern. It’s important to remember that as public health experts who are solely dedicated to the health and safety of our communities, we believe there is limited risk to our campus community.
Sincerely,
Dr. David Weismantel
University Physician
Adenike Shoyinka
Ingham County Medical Director
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For more information about meningitis, please review these frequently asked questions:
Q: What is meningitis?
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. People sometimes refer to it as spinal meningitis. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. The University of Michigan student was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, which can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disabilities.
Q: Is bacterial meningitis contagious?
Yes, some forms of bacterial meningitis are contagious. The bacteria can mainly be spread from person to person through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions. This can occur through coughing, kissing, and sneezing. Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as things like the common cold or the flu. Importantly, the bacteria are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. However, sometimes the bacteria that cause meningitis have spread to other people who have had close or prolonged contact with a patient with meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis, also called meningococcal meningitis. People in the same household or daycare center, or anyone with direct contact with a patient's oral secretions (such as partners and spouses) would be considered at increased risk of getting the infection. People who qualify as close contacts of a person with meningitis caused by N. meningitidis should receive antibiotics to prevent them from getting the disease.
Q: What causes meningitis?
Certain bacteria and viruses cause meningitis and these germs are spread from person to person. Close contacts of persons with some types of bacterial meningitis such as that caused by the germ known as meningococcus are at a high risk of developing serious infections (including meningitis) caused by that germ in the next few days after exposure. Note that many people carry these germs in their upper respiratory tract (they are “carriers”) and most of them never become ill.
Q: What are the signs and symptoms of bacterial meningitis?
High fever, headache and stiff neck are common symptoms of meningitis in anyone older than 2 years old. These symptoms can develop over several hours, or they may take one to two days. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, aches and pains, stiff neck, confusion, drowsiness and sensitivity to bright lights. As the disease progresses, patients may have seizures.
Q: If I have questions about symptoms, who should I call?
If you have questions about symptoms, you can call your primary care physician, or Olin Student Health Services at 517-353-4660.
Q: If I was at Club Rush on Jan. 22, what should I do?
Immediate antibiotic treatment (prophylaxis) is critical for those who attended this event. This treatment is being made available for free through the health department and the university in the MSU Room on the third floor of the MSU Union Building from 1-5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28 and Saturday, Jan. 29. Free parking is available in MSU’s parking ramp No. 6 on Grand River Avenue next to the MSU Union.
Q: Someone I know was at the event on Saturday, Jan. 22, what should I do?
There is no need for you to take any actions at this time unless you were at the event.
Q: My roommate was at the event on Saturday, Jan. 22, what should I do?
There is no need for you to take any actions at this time unless you were at the event.
Q: Are COVID-19 symptoms and meningitis symptoms the same or similar?
While both conditions can cause fever and fatigue, serious meningitis often progresses more rapidly with stiff neck and headache. COVID-19 more often has upper respiratory symptoms including shortness of breath.
Q: Can coronavirus cause meningitis?
While many viruses can cause meningitis, coronaviruses, including the virus variants that cause COVID-19, do not cause meningitis. There is no evidence to suggest that the omicron variant of COVID-19, or indeed any other variant recorded so far poses any greater risk of causing meningitis.
Q: How is bacterial meningitis diagnosed?
Early diagnosis and treatment are very important. If symptoms occur, the patient should see a doctor immediately. The diagnosis is usually made by growing bacteria from a sample of spinal fluid. The spinal fluid is obtained by performing a spinal tap, in which a needle is inserted into an area in the lower back where fluid in the spinal canal can be collected. Identification of the type of bacteria responsible is important for selection of correct antibiotics.
Q: Can bacterial meningitis be treated?
Intravenous, or IV, antibiotics are used to treat bacterial meningitis. The earlier the treatment is started, the better the outcome. Early treatment is extremely important for good recovery. While steroids have been shown to be helpful in treating bacterial meningitis in infants and children, this treatment is used less often in adults. Dexamethasone, a type of steroid, may be given in certain cases of bacterial meningitis, to decrease the inflammatory response caused by the bacteria.
Q: Are there vaccines against bacterial meningitis?
Yes, there are vaccines that prevent most types of bacterial meningitis, and these vaccines are safe and highly effective.
Q: Are MSU students required to be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis?
MSU students are not required to get the meningitis vaccine, but they are strongly urged to do so.
Q: At what age should people get vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis?
Meningococcal vaccines are routinely recommended for people 11-18 years of age.
Q: Can someone get a meningitis vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time?
Yes, you can get both vaccines at the same time.
Q: Can COVID-19 vaccines cause meningitis?
No, meningitis is not a side effect of the COVID-19 vaccines
Q: I have had meningitis. Should I be more worried about coronavirus?
Although no research into this specific area had been undertaken, there is currently no evidence and no convincing rationale to suggest that people are more likely to get COVID-19 or be seriously ill with it if they have had meningitis. As far as we know at this time, this also applies to the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
There are certain well-known factors, such as immunodeficiency, that increase the likelihood of many infections, including both meningitis and COVID-19. Among several known factors that increase risk from COVID-19 infection, a very few, such as epilepsy and kidney disease, can result from severe cases of meningitis.
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