posted on April 4: Meningitis case confirmed at McMaster University
A McMaster student is in hospital with a confirmed case of bacterial
meningitis. The student came in to Student Health Services yesterday morning (Tuesday, April 3) and was taken to the hospital.
“Our first concern is for the health of the student. Her family is with her and we are working with the Hamilton Public Health Department (Communicable Disease Control Branch) to ensure that we are following public health protocols with regard to anyone who might have had contact with her,” said Mary Keyes, associate vice-president, student affairs. “Bacterial meningitis is a very serious disease but it is not highly contagious. We have been told that high-risk activities include kissing, sharing cigarettes or toothbrushes or drinking from the same containers. Essentially, it is
saliva-to-saliva contact that places anyone at risk.”
Students who live in Hedden Hall, the residence of the student, have
been given information about the disease and are talking to public health nurses today. The public health nurses will be available tomorrow (April 5) as well. Friends and family of the student who is ill have been identified and interviewed by public health to determine their risk for the disease. In addition, information about meningitis may be obtained by calling Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Public Health at 905-546-3500
“We are confident that we are taking all measures necessary to ensure that people have the information they need about meningitis,” said Keyes. “I would encourage everyone to read the information posted to this page on the disease and take steps to reduce high-risk activities.”
