Officials with Oregon State University in Corvallis confirmed a fifth case of meningococcal infection among students this year, according to a report from KATU.
The sickened undergraduate student was admitted to the hospital Nov. 24 and is in good condition.
"Our thoughts and support are with this student for their full recovery," said Steve Clark, vice president of university relations and marketing at OSU, according to KATU. "The university is working diligently with local and state health officials to respond to this case and prevent further spread of illness. Our prevention efforts include administering preventive antibiotics to individuals in close contact with the ill student and sharing information with students and their families about the risks of meningococcal disease and the importance for young adults to be vaccinated."
Infection with the bacteria can cause meningococcal disease, which first presents as a flu-like illness, before rapidly worsening. The illness can cause infections of the brain or spinal cord (meningitis) and infections of the blood (septicemia). The four other students infected earlier this year were treated for the infection and have recovered.
To learn more about meningococcal disease, click here.
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