SLO case of meningitis identified
November 21, 2009
Monday Update: Public health officials announced Monday morning that the student with bacterial meningitis was an unidentified Cuesta College student.
County public health officials have diagnosed a 19-year-old college student with having bacterial meningitis and “strongly suspect” he may have meningococcal meningitis. The latter is relatively rare with less than 3,000 cases in the U.S. each year and typically only one case per year in the county. However, officials caution that a meningococcal infection can be quite serious; typically 125 deaths result annually.
Classic signs of meningitis include sudden onset of fever, headache, and stiff neck. People between the ages of 17 to 20 have a higher risk of infection. For more information, contact San Luis Obispo Coounty Public Health at 781-5500.
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