Augsburg Freshman in Hospital with Bacterial Meningitis

A freshman student at Augsburg College in Minneapolis was hospitalized Wednesday night at North Memorial Medical Center with a confirmed case of bacterial meningitis.

All of the student’s close personal contacts, including her roommate and students on the same floor of the dormitory who were thought to have been in contact have been notified and advised about antibiotics. Professors and faculty members who instruct the student has also been notified.

Augsburg officials discussed the situation with the Minnesota Department of Health on Thursday.

Bacterial meningitis is not spread through casual contact or by simply breathing the air where the person with meningitis has been. For the bacteria to spread there needs to be direct saliva contact, like the sharing of food, drinks, a toothbrush or kissing.

The Centers for Disease Control says a community setting like a college is a risk factor of meningitis and college students living in dormitories are at an increased risk of contracting the illness.

With that in mind, Augsburg students are being asked to be alert to any signs or symptoms of meningitis, including stiff neck, headache and high fever. Students showing those symptoms should seek immediate medical treatment.

College students in Minnesota are not required to have received a meningitis vaccine prior to enrolling, but the vaccine is readily available from health care providers.