Oregon State University sees 4 meningococcal B cases in 2017

Four students at Oregon State University in Corvallis have contracted meningococcal B in past year, according to a report from Corvallis Gazette-Times.

Infection with the bacterial strain can cause meningococcal disease, which can first present as flu-like illness, but then rapidly worsen. The illness can potentially cause infections of the brain or spinal cord (meningitis) and infections of the blood (septicemia). Three of the infected students have recovered. The most recent case — identified Oct. 27 — has been discharged from the hospital and is recouping at home, according to the Gazette Times.

"Even young healthy people can die or lose limbs or have permanent disability related to this," Jeff Mull, MD, medical director for the student health department at OSU Student Health, told KVAL. "We will have an occasional case. I don't think we've ever had two cases in a year."

To reduce the risk of meningococcal disease among students, the university held a vaccination clinic Wednesday. OSU now requires all incoming students under the age of 25 to get vaccinated against meningococcal disease, which is transmitted through the exchange of respiratory or throat secretions.

To learn more about meningococcal disease, click here

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