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Student at TSU dies of meningitis
By MATTHEW TRESAUGUE
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
One of two Texas Southern University students recently diagnosed with bacterial meningitis has died, prompting health officials to provide free antibiotics Monday to students as a precaution against any more outbreaks of the infection.
Rodney Bernard, a 21-year-old junior, died Thursday at The Methodist Hospital, officials said. A second 21-year-old student, whose name was not released, is expected to recover but remains in intensive care at Ben Taub General Hospital, said Edward Patten, the university's physician.
The young men lived separately in off-campus apartments, but shared one class. They had no other obvious links, officials said.
It is still unclear how they contracted the disease, Patten said.
As a preventative measure, health officials urged 648 students who had classes with the two students to go to the campus health center for treatment.
A line of students stretched into the parking lot outside the building shortly after officials began providing the antibiotics at 2 p.m.
"It's very unusual to see two cases in this proximity, so we need to be aggressive in stopping it in its track," said Kathy Barton, spokeswoman for the Houston Department of Health and Human Services.
Said Patten, "I doubt very many were exposed, but no one wants to be a victim."
Deante Sims, a second-year student, waited in the rain to get the antibiotics. He didn't have a class with either student, but they had worked out at the on-campus recreation center, he said.
"It's too great a risk," Sims said.
While contagious, meningitis is rarely transmitted by casual contact. The bacteria can be spread by coughing or sneezing in someone's face, but much more likely by kissing or through sharing a drink or a cigarette.
Student at TSU dies of meningitis
By MATTHEW TRESAUGUE
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
One of two Texas Southern University students recently diagnosed with bacterial meningitis has died, prompting health officials to provide free antibiotics Monday to students as a precaution against any more outbreaks of the infection.
Rodney Bernard, a 21-year-old junior, died Thursday at The Methodist Hospital, officials said. A second 21-year-old student, whose name was not released, is expected to recover but remains in intensive care at Ben Taub General Hospital, said Edward Patten, the university's physician.
The young men lived separately in off-campus apartments, but shared one class. They had no other obvious links, officials said.
It is still unclear how they contracted the disease, Patten said.
As a preventative measure, health officials urged 648 students who had classes with the two students to go to the campus health center for treatment.
A line of students stretched into the parking lot outside the building shortly after officials began providing the antibiotics at 2 p.m.
"It's very unusual to see two cases in this proximity, so we need to be aggressive in stopping it in its track," said Kathy Barton, spokeswoman for the Houston Department of Health and Human Services.
Said Patten, "I doubt very many were exposed, but no one wants to be a victim."
Deante Sims, a second-year student, waited in the rain to get the antibiotics. He didn't have a class with either student, but they had worked out at the on-campus recreation center, he said.
"It's too great a risk," Sims said.
While contagious, meningitis is rarely transmitted by casual contact. The bacteria can be spread by coughing or sneezing in someone's face, but much more likely by kissing or through sharing a drink or a cigarette.
