MSU graduate student Matthew Knueppel died of bacterial meningitis early Sunday at Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital.

The 25-year-old student in the School of Hospitality Business was admitted to the hospital early Saturday afternoon after complaining of flu-like symptoms.

Dr. Dean Sienko, director of the Ingham County Health Department, said Knueppel was sent home after treatment, but returned about 10 p.m. Saturday after his symptoms worsened.

“At that time, he was showing signs of more serious diseases,” Sienko said. “He was having a stiff neck, he broke out into a rash and his blood pressure began to drop.”

Knueppel was admitted to the emergency room and died at 12:20 a.m. Sunday.

Meningitis is a viral or bacterial infection of the brain and spinal linings. The bacterial form, known as meningococcal disease, can be life-threatening, but both share symptoms that include sore throat, high fever, headaches, neck and back stiffness, rashes and mental changes, such as agitation, confusion and coma.

A vaccine against meningococcal meningitis is available, but only protects against four of five strains of the disease.

Sienko said public health officials should identify the strain Knueppel had in the next several days.

The disease is easy to misdiagnose in its early stages because it is similar to less severe illnesses, Sienko said.

“It mimics viral illnesses and flu illnesses, things that thousands of people come down with annually in this community,” he said.

Sienko said no one else has displayed signs of meningitis. He also said authorities at the health department think they’ve contacted the people who had close contact with Knueppel and have given them preventative antibiotics.

Meningitis can be spread through close contact, including kissing and sharing utensils.

In October 1999, MSU distributed about 16,000 free vaccinations to students in response to a meningitis case on campus. No free vaccinations will be offered at this time, though, MSU spokesman Terry Denbow said. Vaccinations, which cost $75-$85, are available at Olin Health Center and are effective for about three to five years.

Three other shots, which cost $5-$70, also are recommended.

“This is an isolated case and it’s being treated that way,” Denbow said. “If it’s a point for education then we’re going to take advantage of it, not just for meningitis, but for the four recommended shots for undergraduates in this age group.

“We care about each and every one of our students and this is considered a death in the family.”

Since March 1997, two MSU students have died from meningitis. Two others recovered after treatment.

In December 1996, economics junior Jeffrey Paga died of a type B strain infection and three months later landscape architecture junior Brian Anderson died of a type C strain infection.

Spartan Marching Band member Adam Busuttil was diagnosed with the disease in October 1999. After fainting in the shower, the then-music education sophomore was rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with the Y strain of meningococcal meningitis. After losing seven of his fingertips to the disease, Busuttil said his music-playing skills are getting back to where they were.

Busuttil supported legislation last fall that requires every college in Michigan to provide incoming freshmen with information about meningitis.

“At orientation, parents and students watch a video on meningitis about risks and vaccinations,” he said.

“But MSU was at the forefront even before the law was passed. They even send home letters to parents recommending that their child be vaccinated before they start college.”

Busuttil said he hopes this incident will raise awareness and lead to increased vaccinations. Health department and university officials recommend incoming freshmen receive the vaccination because they live in close quarters.

“I think everyone should be a little worried because you can catch this from a healthy person,” Busuttil said.

“I’ve just completed the last steps. I still have one more surgery left on my arm. I’d rather spend (the money) and get the vaccine than lose seven fingertips or have to learn how to play my guitar again.”

University Physician Beth Alexander said 10 to 15 percent of the population carries the bacteria that causes meningitis, but never gets sick.

“We don’t understand why someone’s immune system can’t handle it and why some can,” she said. “I think vaccines are a good idea for students because it’s such a devastating disease and people get sick so fast from it.”

Alexander said good health habits such as washing hands, adequate rest, a healthy diet and exercise could be the difference between contracting the disease and not contracting it.

She also said although there have been four severe cases since 1997, the numbers are to be expected from a community as large as MSU.

“This disease affects two or three people out of 100,000 every year,” she said. “It might seem like a bigger problem than it is because we’re much more aggressive about the education campaign and recommending vaccinations.”

Social relations sophomore Sarah Youmans said she rode her bike across campus on the hottest day she could remember to get the vaccine.

“My mom called me every day last year until I got the vaccine,” she said. “It definitely put my mom at ease. I feel a lot better about it.”

Erica Berg can be reached bergeri1@msu.edu.