Washtenaw County Health Department recently issued the following announcement.
A confirmed case of meningococcal meningitis was reported to Washtenaw County Health Department on Jan 26. The Health Department is actively investigating with the University of Michigan as well as Ingham County Health Department and Michigan State University.
Meningococcal meningitis treatment should start as soon as possible. Anyone exhibiting symptoms of meningococcal meningitis should be evaluated by a health care provider immediately. Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache, stiff neck, vomiting, rash or confusion. Health care providers can diagnose and treat meningococcal meningitis with several effective antibiotics.
Meningococcal meningitis is treatable with antibiotics. *Immediate antibiotic treatment is critical for anyone ill, or to prevent infection for anyone who may have been exposed through close contact.*
“This is not an outbreak and risk to the larger community remains low, but meningococcal meningitis is a very serious illness,” said Juan Luis Marquez, MD, MPH, medical director with the Washtenaw County Health Department. “We are working as quickly and collaboratively as possible to provide information and treatment options to anyone with potential and direct exposure to the known case.”
On Thursday, Jan 20, 2022, the diagnosed individual was present at an event at the Delta Kappa Epsilon residence at 800 Oxford Road, Ann Arbor from 10:30pm thorough 12:00am.
The individual also attended an off-campus ticketed event on Saturday, Jan 22, which was hosted by Sigma Beta Rho at Club Rush, 131 Albert Ave. East Lansing.
All individuals present at one or both of these events, and during the time frame provided for the local event, are considered close contacts and should receive antibiotic treatment to prevent disease (prophylaxis). Prophylaxis is recommended regardless of meningococcal vaccination status and should be taken within 14 days of exposure.
Read the full release for more info: https://bit.ly/meningwc
Original source can be found here.
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