Campus Notice About Meningitis Case

Mace & Crown

[Editor’s note: On Thursday, March 9, 3:19 p.m., Giovanna Genard, Assistant VP, Strategic Communications & Marketing, ODU, released the following statement via email. Mace & Crown will keep you updated as soon as more information on the matter becomes available.]Dear Old Dominion Campus Community:The Virginia Department of Health has notified Student Health Services officials at Old Dominion University that an ODU student has been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis while out of town on spring break, and is receiving treatment. As a precautionary measure, the Virginia Department of Health also contacted five individuals who had contact with this student to begin treatment that prevents infection from developing.Dr. Robert F. Dunker, Old Dominion’s medical director of Student Health Services, released a statement saying, “Although there is no danger to the Old Dominion community as a result of this situation, the University’s Student Health Services medical team is following all health and safety protocols and will continue to work with the Virginia Department of Health.”According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), meningococcal disease is typically not transmitted by routine or casual contact. It is spread through saliva and by prolonged, close contact with an infected person. The CDC recommends all college students get immunized against meningococcal disease prior to starting college and Virginia law requires people age 16 or older to be immunized.ODU students may contact the University’s Student Health Services (the office remains open this week) with any questions at 757-683-3132. For more information about bacterial meningitis, visit the CDC online at https://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/index.html


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