Student Health Services
MENINGITIS REQUIREMENT

Le Moyne College is required to maintain a record of the following for each student:

• A response to receipt of meningococcal disease and vaccine informationmeningitis vaccine (Menomune), signed by the student or student’s parent or guardian AND EITHER
• A record of meningococcal meningitis immunization within the past 10 years OR
• An acknowledgement of meningococcal disease risks and refusal of meningococcal meningitis immunization signed by the student (if over 18 years of age) or student’s parent or guardian.

Meningitis is rare. However, when it strikes, its flu-like symptoms make diagnosis difficult. If not treated early, meningitis can lead to swelling of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal column as well as severe and permanent disabilities, such as hearing loss, brain damage, seizures, limb amputation and even death.

A vaccine is available that protects against four types of the bacteria that cause meningitis in the United States – types A, C, Y, and W-135. These types account for nearly 2/3 of the meningitis cases among college students.

You are encouraged to read the following material carefully, share it with your parents and/or health care provider. You must complete the Meningococcal Meningitis Response Form which you can read and print out at http://www.lemoyne.edu/health_center/response.pdf. You may also come to the Student Health Office to get this form. It must be returned to Student Health Services within 30 days or a hold will be placed on your registration. If you can demonstrate a good faith effort to comply with this, you will be granted a 30 day extension.

To learn more about meningitis and the vaccine, please read the form following this letter, contact our health service and/or consult your physician. You can also find information about the disease at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo or www.acha.org.

Sincerely,
Elaine Taylor, RNC
Director of Student Health Services

Meningococcal
Meningitis on Campus

Overview of Meningococcal Meningitis

Meningococcal disease is a potentially life threatening bacterial infection. The disease most commonly is expressed as either meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, or meningococcemia, a presence of bacteria in the blood.

Meningococcal disease is caused by Neisseria meningitidis, which has become the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in older children and young adults in the United States.

Meningococcal disease strikes about 3,000 Americans each year, leading to death in approximately 10 to 15 percent of cases, which translates into 300 deaths annually. It is estimated that 100 to 125 cases of meningococcal disease occur annually on college campuses and 5 to 15 students die as a result. The disease can result in permanent brain damage, hearing loss, learning disability, limb amputation, kidney failure or death.

The incidence of meningitis outbreaks of serogroup C has risen in the past 10 years, including cases at U.S. colleges and universities. Data suggest that certain social behaviors, such as exposure to passive and active smoking, bar patronage and excessive alcohol consumption, may increase students' risk for contracting the disease. Recent data also show students living in dormitories, particularly freshmen, have a sixfold increased risk for the disease.

Vaccination Recommendations for College Students

On October 20, 1999, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) voted to recommend that college students, particularly freshmen living in dormitories and residence halls, be educated about meningococcal meningitis and the potential benefits of vaccination.

Incidence of Meningococcal Meningitis

In the United States, outbreaks of serogroup C meningococcal disease have been occurring more frequently since the early 1990s, especially among young adults in school and community settings. There were 26 outbreaks between 1994 and 1996; four of these outbreaks were at a college or university, compared with only 15 outbreaks occurring between 1989 and 1993, including two outbreaks at a college or university.

Persons at Risk for the Disease, Including College Students

Meningococcal disease can affect people at any age. Certain groups are at increased risk for contracting the disease including those in close contact with a known case, individuals with compromised immune systems and persons traveling to endemic areas of the world. Since 1991, cases of meningococcal disease among 15 to 24 year olds have more than doubled.

Recent evidence found that students residing in dormitories on campus appear to be at higher risk for meningococcal disease than college students overall. Further research recently released by the CDC shows freshmen living in dormitories have a six times higher risk for meningococcal disease than college students overall.

Prior to 1971, the military had experienced high rates of meningococcal disease, particularly serotype C disease. The U.S. military now routinely vaccinates new recruits. Similar to college students, military recruits live in confined areas. Since the initiation of routine vaccination of recruits, there has been an 87 percent reduction in sporadic cases and a virtual elimination of outbreaks of invasive meningococcal disease in the military.

Vaccination to Prevent Meningococcal Meningitis

A quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine is available against four of the most common strains of N. meningitidis in the United States (A, C, Y, W 135). The vaccine can be used in adults and children older than two years of age and is 85 to 100 percent effective in preventing serogroups A and C of meningitis in older children and adults.

The vaccine is often used to control serotype C meningococcal disease outbreaks and for pre exposure among certain high risk groups (e.g., immunosuppressed, travelers).

As of October 20, 1999, ACIP recommends that undergraduate college students, particularly freshmen who live in or plan to live in dormitories or residence halls, receive information about meningococcal meningitis and the benefits of vaccination. Freshmen and other undergraduates who wish to reduce their risk for disease should be provided access to the vaccine.

Cases/Outbreaks of the Disease

Between 1986 and 1993, an outbreak was defined as five cases of the same serotype in 100,000 people with at least three occurring within three months. From 1994 to present, 10 cases of the same serotype in 100,000 people with at least three occurring within three months constitute an outbreak. The vast majority of disease occurs as sporadic and isolated cases, referred to as endemic disease.

For More Information

For more information on meningococcal meningitis and the vaccine, please contact visit the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo, and the American College Health Association, www.acha.org.

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