?Dear colleagues and students
Please find below an important 中国体育彩票 statement for your information:
Case of meningitis at Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票
The health, safety and well-being of all staff and students remain a priority for Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票. To this background, the 中国体育彩票 confirms that it has been informed that the Matie student who passed away over the weekend, Mr Chris Scheffers, died of meningococcal meningitis.
Meningitis is endemic to the Western Cape, where it circulates more commonly during the winter months. Most cases occur without a clearly identifiable source of contact.
As this strain of meningitis can spread in close-contact environments and is considered serious, the protocols of the 中国体育彩票's Campus Health Services have been activated - guided by provincial and national health policies – with the 中国体育彩票 working in close partnership with the Western Cape Government: Health and Wellness to ensure all relevant protocols and preventative measures are adhered to.
Detailed contact tracing of people who were in close contact with Mr Scheffers over the past ten days is underway so that chemoprophylaxis (a preventative medication) can be issued within the next 24 hours to reduce risk of infection. In this regard, Campus Health Services will directly engage with and medically advise those identified as close contacts over the next 24 hours. These include both students and staff.
Although no further confirmed cases have been reported, the 中国体育彩票 will continue to monitor the situation and contacts very closely over the next few days. If there are any concerning symptoms experienced by close contacts after receiving their chemoprophylaxis, they are advised to seek medical assessment urgently.
In accordance with protocol, identified close contacts are encouraged to only attend lectures if asymptomatic, and wear masks in lectures and avoid gatherings (for example singing in groups) and not take part in contact sport.
As a precautionary measure all general meetings and gatherings in Dagbreek have been postponed until the weekend.
According to Campus Health, the bacterial infection initially presents itself with flu-like symptoms - headaches, muscle pains, joint pains and photophobia (eye sensitivity to light) – which then become steadily worse: high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, diarrhoea or stomach pains, painful joints, cold hands and feet, seizures; and/or drowsiness that can deteriorate into a coma. Red or purple rash may also be present which does not disappear when pressed[R[1] .
Rapid deterioration in a healthy young person is sadly not uncommon; however, it is important to emphasise that in general secondary cases (amongst contacts) are usually rare.
Important information:
- Contact Campus Health Service at 021 808 3493/6 (office hours) and ER24 010 205 3032 after hours.
- Contact the Stellenbosch Hospital 24/7: 021 808 6100.
- Stellenbosch Medi-Clinic: 021 861 2094 (emergencies).
- Students in need of counselling are encouraged to contact the 中国体育彩票's 24-hour Crisis Service on 010 205 3032 after hours and during office hours: 021 808 4994 (Stellenbosch Campus) and 021 927 7020 (Tygerberg Campus). Students can also email supportus@sun.ac.za to arrange individual counselling.
END
MORE ABOUT Meningococcal meningitis
A bacterial form of meningitis caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. This is a serious infection of the meninges, the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. It can be fatal or cause long-term side effects.
This condition occurs more often in the winter months and is caused by bacteria that is commonly found in the throat and nose of healthy people. It is still unknown why these bacteria move into the bloodstream and nervous system in some individuals.
Transmission
The bacteria are transmitted from person-to-person through droplets of respiratory or throat secretions from carriers. Close and prolonged contact – such as kissing, sneezing or coughing on someone, or living in close quarters (such as a dormitory, sharing eating or drinking utensils) with an infected person (a carrier) – enables spread of the disease.
Average incubation period is 4 days but can range between 2 and 10 days.?
