Update Jan. 31. 11:05 a.m.
While the Meningitis B vaccine is optional, the health center recommends it for adults under the age of 25 to help prevent transmission.
Cal Poly Health Services is offering clinics to administer vaccinations on campus. Bring your PolyCard or driver’s license, health insurance card and a form of payment (credit card, check, or cash). Vaccinations will come in the form of injections, said Audrey Capp, a Health Services administrative assistant.
- Thursday, Feb. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- University Union Rose Float Office (building 65, room 101F)
- Recreation Center Lobby (building 43, room 101 )
- Friday, Feb. 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- University Union Rose Float Office (building 65, room 101F)
- Recreation Center Lobby (building 43, room 101)
There will also be informational booths on Tuesday, Jan. 31 and Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m in the Recreation Center Lobby (building 65, room 101).
Update Jan. 27 7:19 p.m.
The strain of meningitis contracted by a student two weeks ago is Serogroup B (MenB), according to a campus-wide email sent by the Office of the Vice President. There have been no additional reported cases.
Cal Poly Health Services is offering a clinic next week to give out the MenB immunization. Adults over the age of 25 are not recommended to receive the immunization, according to the email.
Another email with more information about the clinic and vaccine will be sent to all Cal Poly emails soon.
Update Jan. 20 10:35 p.m.
According to a second email sent by the Office of the Vice President, individuals affiliated or have attended a social event with Alpha Phi, Delta Chi or Delta Sigma Phi on Jan. 14-15 may be at risk of being exposed to meningococcal disease.
Any student that fits this description can receive prophylactic medication at a free clinic hosted by Campus Health and Wellbeing on Jan. 21 at the Health Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Students may also receive free prophylactic medication from a pharmacy if they report to the pharmacist that they are a part of the described group. The pharmacy will get authorization from the San Luis Obispo County Health Department to provide the medication, according to the email.
Students who may have been exposed and are out of the area are encouraged to contact their primary care physician or seek emergency care, according to the email.
Original Article
According to a campus-wide email sent by the Office of the Vice President, a Cal Poly student has been confirmed to have presumed meningococcal disease, an infection that could lead to bacterial meningitis. The student lives off campus.
Cal Poly is working with the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department to identify people who have been in intimate/prolonged (more than eight hours) contact with the student and advise them to take preventative medical treatment, according to the email.
There are two types of meningitis: bacterial and viral. Viral meningitis is serious, but not usually as serious as bacterial meningitis. Both have similar symptom including fever, stiff neck, headache, confusion and often a rash.
The email states that if someone develops any of these symptoms, they should go to the closest hospital emergency department to receive diagnosis and treatment.
Health Center hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8-11 a.m. and 2:30-4 p.m. and Wednesday 9-11 a.m. and 2:30-4 p.m.
For more information on meningitis, visit Cal Poly Health Services at: http://www.hcs.calpoly.edu/content/health/meningitis.
Correction: A previous version of this post said a Cal Poly student was presumed to have the meningococcal disease. It has been corrected to say they have presumed meningococcal disease. A previous version of this article said Delta Sigma Pi was one of the organizations that may be at risk for meningococcal disease. It has been corrected to say Delta Sigma Phi.