CORTLAND, N.Y. — Students at SUNY Cortland who went to two off-campus house parties last weekend may have been exposed to bacterial meningitis, the college said in a statement Wednesday.
A student who attended both parties was hospitalized earlier this week with a suspected case of bacterial meningitis, the statement read, adding that any person who attended a party at 15 Prospect Street on Thurs. Feb. 16, or a party on Owego Street on Fri. Feb. 17, should receive prophylactic antibiotics.
While the student's illness has not been confirmed as meningitis, college health officials and the Cortland County Health Department are notifying anyone who may have come into contact with the student so they can seek immediate treatment, the statement read.
"All members of the campus community should be aware of the symptoms of meningitis and should seek immediate medical attention if they feel they are exhibiting them," the college's statement read.
Bacterial meningitis is a potentially-life threatening illness, though it can be treated with antibiotics and most people recover, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningitis is rare in the U.S., with fewer than 1,000 cases reported each year. Symptoms include high fever, severe headaches, nausea and vomiting.
No other suspected cases have been reported, college officials said.
The SUNY Cortland's Student Health Service and the Cortland County Health Department made antibiotics available to students in the college's Corey Union building following the Wednesday morning announcement. The SUNY Cortland Student Health Service office is available to students Mon. - Fri., 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m and by phone at 607-753-4811. Outside of those hours, students can also seek treatment at Cortland Regional Medical Center.
