SAN DIEGO (AP) — An 18-year-old student at San Diego State University is gravely ill, most likely from meningitis, authorities said Thursday.
The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency said the previously healthy woman, who lived on campus and was not employed, may have exposed others to the bacteria between Oct. 5 and Oct. 14. She was admitted to a local hospital on Tuesday morning after reporting a flu-like illness.
The university has alerted students to common symptoms, like fever, intense headaches, lethargy and stiff necks. The bacteria can be spread through sharing drinking glasses, eating utensils, cigarettes or water bottles.
San Diego County has reported six cases of meningitis this year, including one that resulted in the death of a high school student in February. The county has had an average of 10 cases a year over the past five years.
Dr. Gregg Lichtenstein, director of student health services at the university, told students, faculty and staff in an email that several people have been treated and he recommended antibiotics as a preventive measure for anyone who was in contact with the woman.
Those most at risk include members of the Kappa Delta sorority, where the student is a member, Lichtenstein said. Also considered at risk is anyone who attended parties at Alpha Epsilon Pi and Delta Sigma Phi fraternities.
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