There have been no new reports of University of Oregon students becoming ill with a bacterial infection that causes meningitis. A student who was diagnosed with the infection has been hospitalized and is reported to be in stable condition.
Lane County Public Health was notified Friday of the U of O student who has a bloodstream infection called meningococcemia. Jason Davis is spokesman for Lane County Public Health. He says the agency and the University are prepared to test students for the potentially life-threatening bloodstream infection.
Davis says the illness feels like the flu at first:
Davis: "Kind of run down. Body aches and pain. The difference is where it goes from there. So, a flu will present itself as a respiratory condition, whereas meningitis or meningococcemia is going to cause some headaches, more severe pain."
The U of O and Lane County Public Health notified 800 people who may have had contact with the student. There is a preventive medication available.
