"Ultimately, your growth here is all yours—and what a gift that is!”
May 5, 2017
The Health and Counseling Center will be open tomorrow, Saturday, May 6 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. to provide preventive antibiotic treatment for individuals who might have had close contact with our student diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis on May 3.
As a reminder, most common symptoms of meningococcal meningitis (Neisseria meningitidis) include sudden onset of fever, severe headache, and stiff neck. Additional symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, eyes being more sensitive to light, altered mental state, or confusion. If you are experiencing these symptoms you should go to an emergency room immediately.
More information about meningitis can be found on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.
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May 4, 2017
We would like to provide an update on our student diagnosed on May 3 with meningococcal meningitis. The family reports that the student is in stable condition and is improving.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the student and her family during this time. They are appreciative of the support and prayers they are receiving from the Saint Mary’s community. Cards are being collected at campus residence halls and will be delivered to the family.
As a reminder, most common symptoms of meningococcal meningitis (Neisseria meningitidis) include sudden onset of fever, severe headache, and stiff neck. Additional symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, eyes being more sensitive to light, altered mental state, or confusion.
If you are experiencing these symptoms you should go to an emergency room immediately. Preventive antibiotic treatment is recommended for individuals who might have had close contact with the infected student. The antibiotic is available at the Saint Mary’s Health and Counseling Center located on the garden level of Holy Cross Hall.
It has come to our attention that the diagnosed student attended 7 p.m. Mass on Sunday, April 30 in Holy Spirit Chapel, Le Mans Hall, although she did not receive Communion. If you attended this Mass, you are encouraged to visit the Saint Mary’s Health and Counseling Center.
The Saint Joseph County Health Department has turned the case over to the Indiana State Department of Health and we are working closely with them to minimize risk. Our Health and Counseling Center staff have identified and contacted known individuals at risk of exposure and provided antibiotics to prevent transmission of this infection. No other cases have been confirmed.
More information about meningitis can be found on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.
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May 3, 2017
Early Wednesday morning, May 3, a student was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis (Neisseria meningitidis) and is receiving treatment. No other cases have been reported.
The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our highest priority. Saint Mary’s College is working with the Saint Joseph County Health Department and the Indiana State Department of Health to minimize the risk of infection to our community. For privacy reasons, the College is not releasing the student’s name, though a team of campus professionals is identifying and notifying individuals who may have had close contact with the student. Preventive antibiotics will be promptly provided to the individuals who have been identified. Additional antibiotics for the campus community will be available Thursday afternoon.
Information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) about meningitis, how it is spread, and how to protect yourself from infection includes:
- Meningitis is a medical condition that is caused by inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It often affects children and young adults, although persons of any age can become infected. A small number of people with this infection will have a serious illness.
- Meningitis is a communicable disease. It requires direct or extended contact with the saliva, nasal and throat secretions of infected persons. After exposure, symptoms may be seen within 2-10 days.
- The most common symptoms include sudden onset of fever, severe headache, and stiff neck. Additional symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, or eyes being more sensitive to light, altered mental state or confusion.
Preventive antibiotic treatment is only recommended for individuals who might have had close contact with the infected student.
Two information sessions will be available for students, faculty, and staff Wednesday evening, May 3, in Carroll Auditorium at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. For further information, please contact the Health and Counseling Center at 574-284-4805. The Health and Counseling Center will be open until 8:30 p.m., May 3, to see students regarding this situation.