Northwest Arkansas College Student Dies from Meningitis
By: KNWA-TV, Fayetteville
Updated: November 19, 2012
A NorthWest Arkansas Community College student who was recently diagnosed with meningitis has died, according to the school.
Members of administration were contacted Monday by the Benton and Washington County Health Departments, alerting them to the student's diagnosis. The student passed away Sunday night.
The school says it has launched an investigation, looking for others who may have come into close contact with the unnamed male.
Here's the full press release and statement from the school:
Officials at NorthWest Arkansas Community College were contacted today by the Benton and Washington County Health Departments about a student who had contracted a meningococcal infection (meningitis). We are saddened to have learned that the student passed away yesterday evening, November 18th.
School officials are in the process of identifying and contacting those individuals who may have come into close contact with the student.
As a matter of prevention and cooperation, all students, faculty, and staff members were notified this afternoon and were asked to take precautionary measures and to seek medical attention if they are experiencing serious flu-like symptoms, which are defined by the Arkansas Department of Health as "fever, intense headache, irritability or listlessness, vomiting and rash."
College officials are also in the process of disinfecting high-traffic areas and those known to have been visited by the student.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the student, his family, and friends during this difficult time," said Dr. Steven Gates, Senior Vice President for Learning and Provost.
Members of administration were contacted Monday by the Benton and Washington County Health Departments, alerting them to the student's diagnosis. The student passed away Sunday night.
The school says it has launched an investigation, looking for others who may have come into close contact with the unnamed male.
Here's the full press release and statement from the school:
Officials at NorthWest Arkansas Community College were contacted today by the Benton and Washington County Health Departments about a student who had contracted a meningococcal infection (meningitis). We are saddened to have learned that the student passed away yesterday evening, November 18th.
School officials are in the process of identifying and contacting those individuals who may have come into close contact with the student.
As a matter of prevention and cooperation, all students, faculty, and staff members were notified this afternoon and were asked to take precautionary measures and to seek medical attention if they are experiencing serious flu-like symptoms, which are defined by the Arkansas Department of Health as "fever, intense headache, irritability or listlessness, vomiting and rash."
College officials are also in the process of disinfecting high-traffic areas and those known to have been visited by the student.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the student, his family, and friends during this difficult time," said Dr. Steven Gates, Senior Vice President for Learning and Provost.
