Kiley Wellendorf | Senior Feature Writer
Late Thursday evening, Buena Vista University (BVU)’s Health Services Office issued an email informing students of a single confirmed case of bacterial meningitis on campus.
Jennifer Felton, Director of Marketing and Communications, said the university was informed of the meningitis case Thursday afternoon.
Felton explained the process of notifying both students and parents of the illness once they’re informed, which follows the protocols set in place by the Iowa Department of Public Health and the local Buena Vista County Public Health Department.
“The first step is to identify ‘close personal contacts,” Felton said. “The definition for this is anyone who has spent over three hours in the same area, has known to have been coughed or sneezed on, and/or has shared saliva, for example sharing water bottles, utensils, lip gloss etc.”
The final step is to inform the BVU community of the illness, which is the reason for the email Thursday evening from Health Services, which read, in part, “A student from the Storm Lake campus was confirmed Thursday, October 20, with bacterial meningitis, was treated and is recovering. Members of the BVU Student Health Services worked in collaboration with the Buena Vista County Public Health Department and the Iowa Department of Public Health to inform those individuals with whom the student had close personal contact. Those who had been in close contact with the infected individual were immediately treated.”
Bacterial meningitis is spread by contact with mucus from the nose or throat. Health Services says it is commonly spread through contact with saliva. The following examples were outlined in the email: kissing, sharing lipstick, cigarettes, chapstick, drinks, or drugs.
Felton says meningitis cases have occurred at BVU in the past.
“BVU experienced four cases of meningitis in 2006,” Felton said. “All students recovered, and it was at that time that BVU started to require the meningitis vaccine. Both in 2006 and 2016 BVU followed protocol.”
In the email, Health Services told students to be aware of the following meningitis symptoms:
- Elevated fever usually over 103 degrees
- Achy joints
- Severe headache
- Nausea / vomiting
- Stiff neck
- Lethargy
The email alert came the night before Fall Break begins, a break that sees most students to leave the university before classes resume on Wednesday, Oct. 26.
“President Moore and many others who are helping with the situation are concerned and in contact with Health Services frequently to monitor the situation,” Felton said. “BVU will continue to be in communication with Iowa Department of Public Health and Buena Vista County Public Health until they feel this is resolved, meaning most generally 7-10 days.”
“Throughout that period of time we plan to keep the campus community and parents updated and informed,” Felton said.
If students are concerned about their health while on campus during Fall Break, they are encouraged to contact Campus Security at 749-2500. If students have any concerns while they are away on Fall Break, BVU Health Services is available from M-F 8-4PM or students are encouraged to contact their local healthcare provider.
