Dear Yale College Students and Parents,
I am writing to let you know that a case of meningococcal (bacterial) meningitis has been identified in an undergraduate. The student is currently hospitalized on antibiotics and is improving. The source of infection in this case is not known and there are no other known cases.
Meningitis is a serious infection that causes inflammation of the lining of the brain and the spinal cord, caused in this case by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and neck pain and may progress rapidly. It is transmitted from person to person by droplets from the respiratory tract or by saliva. Individuals with a compromised immune system due to a medical condition or medications are at increased risk regardless of vaccination status. In the U.S., 95% of meningococcal meningitis cases are considered sporadic and are not related to an outbreak.
Close, not casual, contact is required for spread. Examples of close contacts include household members such as roommates, others with prolonged close contact (e.g., multiple hours of face-to-face contact), intimate partners, and people who may have shared water bottles, utensils or personal items like toothbrushes. The CDC recommends that close contacts be treated with antibiotics to prevent infection, called post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP.
The affected student had been on spring break traveling with a group from Yale, all of whom have been identified and contacted. Others on campus are at low risk. All of the student contacts and 98% of the staff contacts have already received PEP antibiotics through Yale Health. PEP was provided free of charge regardless of insurance status. All of the close contacts have also been sent information about symptoms to watch for over the next 10-14 days.
The overall risk of additional cases is LOW. In addition to our prompt treatment of close contacts, our campus requires that all incoming students are vaccinated against the most common cause of meningitis, serogroups ACWY. Our overall vaccination rate is over 99%. While vaccination is not 100% protective, it reduces risk considerably.
We will continue to monitor closely and provide support to those who may have been exposed. We will keep you informed of any major changes. If you have questions or concerns, you may call this temporary dedicated hotline: 203-432-6604.
Madeline S. Wilson, MD, FACP
Chief Campus Health Officer