Student dies from Meningococcal disease
Meningitis case at Bentley College

Alex Legere | staff writer
alegere@smcvt.edu

St. Michael's students are encouraged to get the meningitis shot, but it is not mandatory. Larry Frisoli, photo

On Oct. 8, Erin Ortiz, a first-year at Bentley College in Waltham, Mass. died from Meningococcal disease, also known as bacterial meningitis.

Rare disease takes first-year’s life

Bentley College has notified 50 students who were thought to be in close contact with Ortiz. These students have been given prophylactic antibiotics, which is the best course of action according to Michelle Walsh, head of public affairs at Bentley College.

“It has been a week and there is little chance that others in the Bentley community are still at risk,” she says. “The longer we go without any cases, the less likely anyone else has it.”

Walsh says the most shocking news that came out of Bentley’s crisis is that the meningitis vaccination won’t cover 100 percent of the virus.

“It is important for college students to remember not to share food utensils, cups, or Chapsticks,” she says. “In a dorm setting it is so easy for things to be shared, we need to remind students to be as careful as possible."

Meningococcal meningitis is a virus that students are vaccinated for before they go to college. Bentley is compliant with Massachusetts law that all incoming freshmen must be vaccinated, Walsh says.

“The challenging news for a lot of parents to hear is that vaccinations cover about 85 percent of the virus,” she says.

First year outlook

Chelsea Ewing, a first-year at St. Michael’s College says she is already feeling the effects of living in close quarters.

“I still have a cold and have already had to visit health services,” Ewing says.

First-year Kalin Burkhart was shocked to find out the effects of meningitis.

“I didn’t know that you could die from it,” Burkhart says.

To avoid getting sick in college, these first-years have a plan-- taking vitamins and sleeping a lot.

Susan Jacques, health services director, recommends that students get sleep and avoid binge drinking. Larry Frisoli, photo

Staying healthy

According to St. Michael's health services, getting enough rest is essential to doing well in school and fighting off sickness.

“Studies show that lack of sleep, increased alcohol intake and cigarette smoke exposure can increase your risk for bacterial meningitis,” wrote Susan Jacques, health services director at St. Michael’s College, in an e-mail. “So, get enough sleep, avoid binge drinking and don’t smoke or hang around smoke-filled rooms to reduce the chance of contracting the disease.”

Vaccination at St. Michael’s College is recommended but not mandatory. The vaccine is offered on campus at health services. In the future, it may be mandatory for all incoming students to be vaccinated, Jacques wrote.

“The disease is too rare and the vaccine too imperfect to require it for everyone. I think that at the least all entering college students and their families should be educated about the disease and the vaccine,” she wrote. “There is a proposal from the Health Department that, if passed by the legislature, will require meningitis vaccine for first-year college students living in residence halls in Vermont as of August 2008.”

Campuses nationwide are doing their best to keep students healthy.

“All health services are constantly reminding students to get enough sleep, if your immune system is rundown then you are more susceptible to anything,” Walsh says. “Washing hands, although it sounds so simple, is one of the best preventive measures you can take.”