Another case of meningococcal disease has surfaced in Eau Claire. A student from the Chippewa Valley Technical College is being treated at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire for the potentially fatal disease.
This is the fourth known case of meningitis in the last two weeks. Previous cases include one student from UW-Whitewater, who was diagnosed; UW-Madison freshman Kelly Steinborn, who was hospitalized with the disease; and UW-Eau Claire student Sean Coleman, a computer science major, who died Monday from the fatal disease.
Eau Claire health officials are investigating a possible link between the two cases in the Eau Claire area; however, at this time no link has been identified.
Coleman is the second UW-Eau Claire student to die from the disease this academic year. Amber Krenz died in November 2001 after displaying symptoms.
After Coleman’s death, Eau Claire officials said there was no link between Krenz and Coleman. Now, officials are investigating a link between the newest case and Coleman’s death.
Health officials have continued to emphasize that the disease is incredibly difficult to contract. Officials said members of the general Eau Claire university community should not be concerned, but vaccines are available for the C strain, which is the strain Coleman died from.
Health officials said simply sharing a classroom with an infected person does not pose a risk.
An e-mail message from Eau Claire university officials informed students of the newest case, the possible link between the two recent cases and prevention measures.
The disease is caused by a bacterium that infects the bloodstream, spinal cord and the fluid around the brain. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck and a rash. Meningococcal disease is contagious, but not through general contact. A person must have direct contact with the carrier, including exposure to saliva or other bodily secretions, to be at risk. Physicians say even with direct contact, chances of contracting the disease are low.
UW-Madison typically sees one or two cases per year, according to Terri Wolf, a registered nurse. at University Health Services. This is the third case reported in Eau Claire this academic year.
