News release: Meningitis

Abstract

The University of Central Lancashire confirms that one of our students contracted bactelial
meningitis septicaemia and due to the vigilance of his housemates was diagnosed and
treated quickly and effectively. We understand that he is expected to be released from
hospital by the end of the week.
Another student contracted a viral infection, which had some indications of viral meningitis
and is recovering well. This student travels in to the University each day and is following a
different course of study from the first student.
Many students coming to University will already have been vaccinated against Meningitis
C prior to coming to University, but students have been reminded that free vaccination has
been available any weekday moming on request at the University's Health Centre, since
the start of term (before the confirmed case was known). Students are being kept informed
of developments and advised of symptoms and action to take.
A spokesperson at the University said: "The case we have had at the University was treated
promptly and the student is making a good recovery. The main thing we have to guard
against is complacency especially after vaccination, and students are advised to look out for
each other and to be alert for symptoms at all times. Ironically the student who contracted
bacterial meningitis septicaemia had already been vaccinated against strain C before
coming to University. We take the health and safety of our students very seriously and with
25,000 of them we are aware that we have a risk of cases coming up each year. Our
procedures have proved to be successful, but we are keeping a constant eye on the
situation."
-ends-
7 November 2001