The University of Louisville (UofL) Campus Health Services is reporting an undergraduate student has been diagnosed and hospitalized with meningococcal meningitis.

The student resides in a UofL residential hall with a roommate who has not shown symptoms of the disease but is being treated preventively for it.

The student remains in good condition and is being cared for and monitored by physicians and other providers with Campus Health Services, UofL Hospital and UofL Physicians.

Bacterial meningitis is contagious but is only transmitted through direct exchange of respiratory or throat secretions. Most people who come into contact with a person who has meningitis are not at risk for the disease as long as precautions are taken.

Meningococcal meningitis is caused by a type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis that can infect the lining of the brain and spinal cord. There are a few different types or strains of Neisseria meningitidis. In the United States, types B, C and Y cause the majority of disease.

Bacterial meningitis is best prevented by vaccination.

There are two vaccines against meningitis. Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) and meningococcal Type B vaccine are both licensed protection against meningitis. In order to be fully immunized against meningococcal disease you need to receive both of the vaccines.