Re: California: UCSB Students Diagnosed With Meningococcal Disease (Santa Barbara Co.)- 3rd case reported - type B
Re: California: UCSB Students Diagnosed With Meningococcal Disease (Santa Barbara Co.)- 3rd case reported - type B
Source:
http://studenthealth.sa.ucsb.edu/CMSMedia/Documents/Meningococcal Outbreak Nov 2013.pdf
Press release from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department
dated November 21, 2013:
Alert: Meningococcal Disease Outbreak in UCSB Students
This alert is to notify providers of an outbreak of Meningococcal Disease among students at UC Santa Barbara. There are currently 3 confirmed cases of Meningococcal Disease, including meningococcemia and meningitis, in 3 undergraduate students. The bacteria Neisseria meningitidis has been cultured from all three patients, and is susceptible to first-line antibiotics.
The dates of illness onset for the 3 cases were November 11, 13, and 18.
Laboratory testing has determined that 2 of the 3 cases are serogroup B, which is notcovered by the meningococcal vaccine. Serogroup testing on the third case is pending. This means that previously vaccinated students are not protected against this particular strain. There is currently no FDA-
approved vaccine against serogroup B.
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has been working closely with UCSB to conduct a thorough contact investigation. We have been identifying close contacts to the index cases, and providing antibiotic prophylaxis to those who meet the definition of ?close contact?, (defined as
individuals who may have come into contact with the saliva or respiratory
secretions of the ill patients through kissing, sharing eating utensils, drinking cups, cigarettes, or extended face-to-face interactions within 7 days of the onset of illness). The antibiotic being used for prophylaxis is Ciprofloxacin 500 mg orally in one single dose. This antibiotic decreases the chance that the exposed person will develop Meningococcal Disease. We are
not recommending antibiotic prophylaxis for community members or UCSB students in general. We are only recommending prophylaxis for individuals specifically identified as a close contact to an index case.
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is requesting that community providers be on alert for college-age patients presenting with symptoms of Meningococcal Disease. These symptoms include fever, myalgias, headache, new rash, vomiting, and photophobia. It is important to note that Meningococcal Disease has a 10 - 30% mortality rate; early treatment is essential to a good outcome.
The PHD is recommending that college - aged patients with the above symptoms be sent to the Emergency Room for blood cultures and evaluation. In addition, all suspected
cases should be reported to Disease Control at (805) 681-5280.
We will continue to work with UCSB, the California Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to respond to this outbreak in a proactive, timely manner. New information and recomm
endations will be provided as they become available.
