In a follow-up to the meningococcal meningitis cluster at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW–Madison), university officials Thursday said testing has identified meningococcal disease in a third UW–Madison student. This student is currently being treated at a local hospital.
Further testing will determine if this is related to the two cases of meningococcal disease serogroup B that were confirmed in UW–Madison students earlier this month.
University Health Services (UHS) is working with Public Health Madison Dane County to notify individuals who have been in close contact with the student so appropriate preventive care can be provided.
UHS, in consultation with local and state health officials, continues to strongly urge that all UW–Madison undergraduate students through age 25 get vaccinated against meningococcal disease serogroup B. Vaccine will be offered to students at the SERF, 715 W. Dayton St. on Monday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 12 to 8 p.m.
“I urge students to get vaccinated – it’s free and it takes just a few minutes,” says William Kinsey, MD, director of medical services at UHS. “We are exercising an abundance of caution to protect the health and safety of our students.”
