Dear MSU Students, Faculty and Staff, On Jan. 26, Ingham County Health Department and Michigan State University were informed of a case of meningococcal (bacterial) meningitis in a non-MSU student who interacted with some members of our community and others. The University of Michigan student attended an off-campus event on Saturday, Jan. 22, hosted by Sigma Beta Rho at Club Rush, located at 131 Albert Ave. in East Lansing. The student did not start experiencing symptoms until Monday evening, Jan. 24. Immediate antibiotic treatment (prophylaxis) is critical for those who attended this event. This treatment is being made available for free through the health department and the university in the MSU Room on the third floor of the MSU Union Building from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28 and Saturday, Jan. 29. Free parking is available in MSU’s parking ramp No. 6 on Grand River Avenue next to the MSU Union. If you have reason to believe you have been exposed, you also may contact your health care provider or Olin Student Health Services at 517-353-4660 to receive prophylaxis against meningococcal meningitis. Common medications include ciprofloxacin and rifampin. If you do not have a health care provider, you can call the Ingham County Health Department at 517-887-4308 (after hours call 517-342-9987) to discuss how to be prescribed prophylaxis. As soon as the infectious disease was suspected, our public health teams began working closely with campus partners, the Washtenaw County Health Department, and University of Michigan officials to identify and reach out to those individuals who may have been in close contact with the identified case and could potentially be at risk. We share this information with you today to make clear we believe there is limited risk to our campus. Bacterial meningitis is rare and not easily transmissible. At this time, no MSU students have shown symptoms suggesting an infection. Again, public health experts are working diligently to identify those who are at potential risk. In addition to this message, we are working with members of the media to promote awareness of the potential exposure at the event, as this event had roughly 250 people – affiliated with both the East Lansing community and MSU – in attendance. For those who have not yet received a meningococcal disease vaccination, you are encouraged to do so. Vaccines are available through Olin Health Center or the Ingham County Health Department. Guidelines regarding vaccination against meningococcal disease are available at cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/mening/#vacc, and a summary of the guidelines for college students are available at hd.ingham.org. We know this information may cause some concern. It’s important to remember that as public health experts who are solely dedicated to the health and safety of our communities, we believe there is limited risk to our campus community. Sincerely, Dr. David Weismantel Adenike Shoyinka |
For more information about meningitis, please review these frequently asked questions: Q: What is meningitis? Q: Is bacterial meningitis contagious? Q: What causes meningitis? Q: What are the signs and symptoms of bacterial meningitis? Q: If I have questions about symptoms, who should I call? Q: If I was at Club Rush on Jan. 22, what should I do? Q: Someone I know was at the event on Saturday, Jan. 22, what should I do? Q: My roommate was at the event on Saturday, Jan. 22, what should I do? Q: Are COVID-19 symptoms and meningitis symptoms the same or similar? Q: Can coronavirus cause meningitis? Q: How is bacterial meningitis diagnosed? Q: Can bacterial meningitis be treated? Q: Are there vaccines against bacterial meningitis? Q: Are MSU students required to be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis? Q: At what age should people get vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis? Q: Can someone get a meningitis vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time? Q: Can COVID-19 vaccines cause meningitis? Q: I have had meningitis. Should I be more worried about coronavirus? There are certain well-known factors, such as immunodeficiency, that increase the likelihood of many infections, including both meningitis and COVID-19. Among several known factors that increase risk from COVID-19 infection, a very few, such as epilepsy and kidney disease, can result from severe cases of meningitis. |