Two Cornell students hospitalized with meningitis

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Ithaca, 14 March 08 -- Cornell University says a second student has been hospitalized with a presumed case of bacterial meningitis. A male student was hospitalized Thursday and is in stable condition. A female student was hospitalized at Cayuga Medical Center on March 8th, and has been transferred to a hospital near her family to recover.

Campus and county health officials are working to determine the possibility of a connection between the two cases. Anyone who attended a March 6th party at 124 Catherine Street, a March 6th party at 118 Cook Street, or a March 8th party at 306 Highland Road (Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity) is being urged to seek preventive antibiotics.

Meningococcal meningitis is a serious, though rare, infectious disease that can cause permanent health problems or death. Community members should seek medical attention if they develop signs or symptoms that could indicate meningitis, such as fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, rash, irritability, or mental confusion.

The disease can spread through direct contact or sharing of such items as glasses, bottles, food, utensils, cigarettes, pipes, lipsticks, or lip balms.