In what is the largest meningococcal meningitis outbreak on a US college campus since Princeton University recorded 8 cases in 2013, Oregon health officials are investigating a sixth possible case of the serious bacterial infection at the University of Oregon.
According to a report in Oregon Live, Oregon Health Authority spokesman Jonathan Modie said state and local health officials are investigating a sixth case of meningococcal disease at the University of Oregon and that details may be released today.
Of the five known cases this year at the university, one fatality has been reported in 18-year-old freshman, Lauren Jones.
Thousands of students at UO were vaccinated against meningitis B during vaccination drives on campus in late February and early March.
Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
Neisseria meningitidis is a bacterium that causes meningitis and other serious infections. The 6 subtypes of these bacteria are responsible for most meningococcal disease worldwide. Type B causes approximately 50% of the cases in Oregon and is suspected to be the cause of the most recent outbreak in Eugene (2015).
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