California college students test positive for meningitis
Two Santa Clara University students have tested positive for meningococcal meningitis.
The San Jose Mercury News reports that Santa Clara County public health officials confirmed Tuesday that the two students at the Jesuit institution contracted the illness.
Health officials warn that most college students are not protected against the strain of the illness the students caught, serogroup B, as the federal government only approved vaccines for that serotype in late 2014 and early 2015.
Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious illness caused by bacteria that can infect the blood or areas around the brain and spinal cord.
The university is encouraging anyone with symptoms to seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, headache, stiff neck and extreme sleepiness.
