From: Administrative E-Memo (memofrom@Colorado.EDU)
Date: Mon Dec 13 2010 - 20:32:17 MST
Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2010 20:32:17 -0700 (MST) From: Administrative E-Memo <memofrom@Colorado.EDU> Subject: Meningitis Vaccine Advisory for CU Community
TO: Boulder Campus Teaching & Research Faculty, Staff,
Deans, Directors, Dept Chairs, System Administration
FROM: Wardenburg Health Center
SENDER: Donald Misch
DATE: December 13, 2010
SUBJECT: Meningitis Vaccine Advisory for CU Community
There is currently a serious outbreak of meningococcal disease including
meningitis at the Colorado State University and in the Fort Collins community
that has resulted in eight cases of illness and five deaths since April.
There are currently no cases of meningitis at CU-Boulder. The last reported
case was in March 2006.
Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection of the membranes lining the
brain and spinal cord. The same bacteria may invade the blood stream as well.
Such infections are rare but potentially fatal. Symptoms of meningococcal
meningitis include fever, severe sudden headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting,
rash and lethargy.
In light of the significant interaction between individuals on both the CSU and
CU-Boulder campuses, Wardenburg Health Center and Boulder County Public Health
advise all students to get vaccinated against meningitis if they have not done
so within the last five years.
Students may obtain the vaccination at Wardenburg Health Center or through
their own health care provider. Students who are unsure if or when they had
the meningitis vaccine should contact their parent/guardian or health care provider.
People under 55 years who would like to reduce their risk for meningococcal
disease are encouraged to contact their health care providers to determine if
vaccination is recommended. Check with your insurance provider to determine if
the vaccine is covered.
Meningococcal vaccine will not provide immediate protection; however, it will
provide future protection against many, but not all, types of meningococcal
disease.
For more information, please contact your health care provider or visit the
Wardenburg Health Center website at:
http://healthcenter.colorado.edu/meningitis.
Donald Misch, MD
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health and Wellness, Director of Wardenburg
Health Center
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