Rutgers Advises Students To Get Meningitis Vaccinations After 2 Students Fall Ill
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Rutgers University is recommending all members of the student body get vaccinated for meningitis before the next school year starts, following two cases in the past semester.
Two Rutgers students on the New Brunswick campus were diagnosed with meningitis B during the spring 2016 semester. Both were hospitalized and have recovered, the university said.
There were reports of students falling ill with meningitis in March and April.
The bacteria that caused the students' infections were genetically indistinguishable, but there was no common link found, the university said.
Previously, Rutgers had asked students to consider getting vaccinated against meningitis B, but the university has now increased the urgency of its advice to recommend it before next school year.
Meningitis is an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord and can cause high fever, headache, a stiff neck and a rash.
Students concerned about possible exposure or who are exhibiting possible symptoms had been asked to visit the campus' health center.
For more information about meningitis, click here.
