Meningitis Vaccination Plan Targets 6,500

By RICHARD BURGESS

Meningitis vaccination plan targets 6,500

LAFAYETTE A meningitis vaccination campaign will expand to an estimated 6,500 University of Louisiana at Lafayette students in an effort to prevent the spread of the disease on campus, the state Office of Public Health announced Tuesday.

The university already has vaccinated more than 100 students considered at risk because of their close association with the victims in three meningitis cases reported last week.

Two students were hospitalized with the disease and a former student died.

Another ULL student died two weeks ago of a meningitis-related blood infection.

The announcement of the expanded vaccination effort, which begins today, comes after the state Office of Public Health reported another possible meningitis patient Monday who has no known connection to the university.

The first round of vaccinations targeted residents of the Voorhies building at ULLs Legacy Park, where one student with meningitis lives, and members of fraternities and sororities. The fatal case of the disease involved a member of the Theta Xi fraternity.

The second round of vaccinations will focus on all campus residents and students age 20 and younger, said Dr. Tina Stefanski, Acadiana regional medical director for the state Office of Public Health.

This is really a preventative measure, state Epidemiologist Dr. Raoult Ratard said.

Ratard said the immediate concern was to vaccinate everyone who had a close association with the three people diagnosed with the disease, which can be spread only through such intimate contact as kissing or sharing food, drinks or cigarettes.

First a small group and then the rest of the group, Ratard said.

He said there are no plans to expand vaccinations further in the Lafayette area.

We will see if there are any new cases, Ratard said. We dont think we need to expand the circle.

Meningitis is a rare and sometimes fatal disease usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

An estimated 1,400 to 2,800 cases of bacterial meningitis occur each year in the United States, but the majority of those cases are isolated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Between 1994 and 2002, health officials in the United States identified 76 meningitis outbreaks involving a total of 247 patients in 32 states, according to CDC.

Ratard said the last major outbreak in Louisiana was in 2001, when cases were reported across the state.

Two Tulane University students and two central Louisiana adolescents died that year of meningitis or a meningitis-related infection.

Adolescents and young adults are considered a high-risk group for contracting the disease, and the CDC has recommended vaccinations for all freshman university students who live in dormitories.

Some universities require the vaccination.

ULL spokeswoman Julie Simon-Dronet said the meningitis vaccination is not required of incoming ULL students, but it is strongly recommended at orientation.

The free vaccinations for the target group at ULL will be offered from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at Guillory Hall, also known as the Cypress Lake Caf. Students must present IDs.

Vaccinations are available to the general public at a cost through the public health center and private health-care providers, though supplies are limited.

Its always a good idea to get a vaccination, Ratard said.

The vaccine is a preventative measure and does not treat meningitis.

Public health officials have said anyone who experiences symptoms of the disease should seek immediate medical attention.

The common early symptoms for meningitis are fever and severe sudden headache with neck stiffness and changes in ones mental state.

For information from the regional public health clinic, call (337) 262-5311.

For general information on meningitis from ULL, visit http:// www.safety.louisiana.edu.