It’s comforting that people are remaining calm about the death of a 25-year-old graduate student from bacterial meningitis.
But the appearance of a third meningitis death since 1997 highlights the need for vaccination awareness among university populations.
The Ingham County Health Department said more than 100 people have paid to get the Menomune vaccination at Olin Health Center as of Wednesday.
That number is significantly fewer than the 16,000 who lined up at various area locations to receive free vaccinations during the week following a meningitis case on campus in 1999.
Meningitis is a viral or bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal linings. The bacterial form can be life-threatening while the viral form has no treatment and works its way out of the body like a cold.
Both forms carry the same flu-like symptoms, which include sore throat, high fever, headaches, neck and back stiffness, rashes and mental changes, such as agitation, confusion and coma.
Infection can be transmitted through some of the most common person-to-person contact, and about 50 to 100 cases occur in Michigan each year.
Matthew Knueppel, a first-year food service management graduate student, died Sunday morning from bacterial meningitis.
The Menomune vaccine protects against four of five strains of meningococcal meningitis. Public health officials are expected to know Knueppel’s strain of infection today.
It is essential students get vaccinated against this potentially life-threatening infection. The vaccinations, which typically cost $75-$85 and are effective for three to five years, are available at Olin.
MSU has done a commendable job since the 1999 meningitis case on campus to inform incoming freshmen about infection possibilities and vaccination information.
In addition, Olin Health Center has a constant link to meningitis information on its Web site, www.olin.msu.edu.
But these vaccinations, which are not commonly covered by insurance, are an expensive investment for college students and some cannot afford them on top of other costs.
MSU should begin offering some type of financial help to get students vaccinated.
In a large community such as MSU, cases of meningitis are bound to break. But, people can help protect themselves by getting vaccinated. Don’t wait for it to happen to you.
Health officials suggest people wash their hands frequently, avoid sharing beverage containers or eating utensils, avoid smoky environments, get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet and avoid drinking too much alcohol.
We urge students to heed expert advice and help the community stay healthy.
