UC Riverside staffer has meningitis

Authorities say a staff member has come down with meningitis at the University of California, Riverside, the fifth diagnosis of the bacterial illness within the UC system in recent months.

The Riverside Press Enterprise reported Monday that the employee, who does not work directly with students, was diagnosed over the weekend. School officials say the employee, who has not been named, is being treated at a hospital.

Four students were diagnosed with meningitis last month at UC Santa Barbara, where a freshman lacrosse player had both feet amputated when the disease affected the blood supply to his limbs.

More than 300 students who had contact with the ill students have been given antibiotics.

Meningitis can be spread through kissing, coughing or prolonged contact. Symptoms can include fever, headache, stiff neck, and nausea.