TAMPA, Fla. — Health officials continue to watch Florida’s ongoing meningococcal outbreak now that school college students are again on campus for the autumn semester. They’re thought of an at-risk group.
“We have an above-average number of cases of meningitis in Florida,” mentioned Dr. Jill Roberts, Associate Professor on the USF College of Public Health.
Florida’s meningococcal outbreak has been an issue for months.
Meningococcal meningitis is an irritation of the mind and spinal wire that’s typically lethal.
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“It’s nothing to mess around with,” mentioned Roberts.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this outbreak over the summer season principally impacted homosexual and bisexual males.
College college students are an at-risk group, too, and now that they’re again on campus for the autumn semester, some well being officials fear about extra unfold.
“There is never a time at which we shouldn’t be concerned about meningitis spreading in schools. Especially in colleges,” mentioned Roberts.
That’s as a result of the illness is unfold via shut, extended contact.
“We have these close living quarters. College students tend to share items. They live communally. They may share utensils. They may share spaces. They may be in very close contact with each other,” mentioned Roberts.
Meningitis unfold in school college students has at all times been a priority.
“We do have a history here, USF, of having lost a student from meningitis and never want to see that happen again,” mentioned Roberts.
Schools are working to shield college students from this illness.
At the University of South Florida, officials strongly encourage the meningitis vaccine.
“Meningitis, most importantly, this particular outbreak, is preventable. That vaccine is very, very efficacious. So anybody who isn’t vaccinated for it should be,” mentioned Roberts.
At the University of Tampa, college officials inform ABC Action News that the suppliers on the UT Health Center have been educated to acknowledge the indicators of meningitis.
UT additionally strongly encourages the vaccine and has it accessible on campus. Meningitis instructional flyers are repeatedly posted in residential halls.
While docs don’t anticipate widespread infections, they mentioned it’s essential college students know the signs to allow them to act quick, simply in case. They ought to watch out for a stiff neck, headache, fever, and a darkish purple rash.
“It’s an emergency situation and needs to be treated immediately. We can actually see patients go from zero symptoms to dead in 24 hours,” mentioned Roberts.