Oct. 25, 2007

VCU Administers Antibiotics Following Student's Death

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By Anne Buckley and Pamela DiSalvo Lepley

RICHMOND, Va., (Oct. 25, 2007) – Virginia Commonwealth University officials on Thursday reported the death of a VCU student from a possible case of meningitis and will begin administering antibiotics to those people who have been in contact with the student.

An initial investigation into the death, which occurred Wednesday, was conducted by city, state and VCU Medical Center health officials. Based on information available to health officials, they do not believe the student, a 19-year-old music major who lived off campus, had bacterial meningitis, but it cannot be ruled out. Health officials will distribute antibiotics to a select group of people as a precautionary measure.

VCU and health officials will be available to the media at 2 p.m. today in the lobby of the Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St.

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord and can be caused either by a virus or bacteria. People exposed to the bacterial form of meningitis have a small risk of developing a serious illness. Even though the risk is slight, the infection can be spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions, such as kissing, coughing and sharing eating utensils or drinks.  Antibiotics are an effective, preventive treatment. 

City and VCU health officials are identifying and contacting people who may have had close contact with the student. Medication will be provided to anyone who is concerned that they may have had close contact with the student, including friends, classmates and faculty, since Monday, Oct. 22. Preventive antibiotic treatment is recommended even for those who have been previously immunized for meningitis.

The antibiotic, which is given as a single, oral dose, can be obtained free of charge by students and faculty presenting their VCU identification cards in the Student Parlors of the Sports Medicine Building, located immediately west of the Siegel Center at 1300 W. Broad St., during the following days and times:

Today, Oct. 25, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 26, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 28, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

For more information, visit http://www.vcu.edu/alert/.