Public health experts are investigating a suspected case of meningococcal disease in a Miami University student, officials announced Thursday. The case is at the university’s main Oxford campus.
Butler County General Health District is identifying close contacts to the student and providing high-risk individuals with prescriptions for antibiotics.
“While meningococcal disease can be very serious and potentially life-threatening, it is rare, and the overall risk to our Miami community is low,” the university wrote in a statement to the campus community on Thursday.
The rare but potentially deadly bacterial infection is commonly spread by kissing or sharing food. It’s not spread through casual contact or by breathing air where someone with the disease has been, according to a Thursday notice from the health department.
Meningococcal disease can progress into meningitis, which impacts the brain and spinal cord, and septicemia, which damages blood vessels.
Meningitis symptoms include: fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and confusion.
Septicemia symptoms include: fever, chills, feeling tired, vomiting, diarrhea, cold hands and feet, severe body aches, rapid breathing and a a dark purple rash.
Meningococcal disease can be treated with antibiotics if detected in time and is preventable through vaccination, the department said in its release.
Miami University told students that if they do not hear from the Butler County General Health District, they can assume they are not a high-risk contact.
Butler County General Health District will take questions at 513-863-1770.
