Nova Scotia public well being is investigating after a college scholar not too long ago died of a suspected case of meningococcal meningitis within the province’s western well being zone.

In a launch, Nova Scotia Health stated the coed, who attended Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, died in hospital over the weekend. Public well being has recognized and contacted those that could have been uncovered to them, the discharge stated.

“At this time there is no indication of increased risk to the general public or the Saint Mary’s University community,” stated Dr. Jesse Kancir, regional medical officer of well being, within the launch.

“Bacterial meningitis is not spread through casual contact, such as sitting next to or talking with someone who is sick with the disease.”

In a letter to college students Wednesday morning, Tom Brophy, SMU affiliate vice-president of scholar affairs and companies, introduced the coed’s demise with a “heavy heart.”

Brophy burdened “there is no indication of increased risk to the general public or the university community” and stated public well being’s investigation didn’t contain any of the coed residences.

The letter additionally included an inventory of counselling and psychological well being helps accessible to college students.

“I want to extend my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this student and the entirety of the Saint Mary’s University community impacted by this tragedy,” he stated.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meningococcal illness refers to an sickness attributable to a sort of micro organism known as Neisseria meningitidis.

Meningitis — infections of the liner of the mind and spinal wire — is likely one of the most typical forms of meningococcal infections. Meningococcal infections could be “very serious and can be deadly in a matter of hours,” the CDC stated.

In its launch, Nova Scotia Health stated the micro organism that may trigger meningococcal illness are unfold by direct secretions from the nostril and mouth. This is completed by way of actions like kissing, sharing meals, drinks, water bottles, toothbrushes, consuming utensils, cigarettes and different smoking or vaping merchandise.

Kancir stated Public Health has been specializing in figuring out and contacting those that have been uncovered to they will obtain prophylactic antibiotics, and no different instances have been recognized presently.

The launch famous that there is no such thing as a vaccine that protects towards all causes of meningococcal meningitis, although the province’s vaccine program offers immunization towards the C pressure of the illness at 12 months of age, and the A, C, Y, and W strains as a part of the Grade 7 college immunization program.

“Currently, the meningococcal B vaccine is not part of the publicly funded vaccine program in Nova Scotia but is available to those who are identified as having close contact with a meningococcal case or are at higher risk of meningococcal disease.”

Symptoms of meningococcal illness contains fever, headache, stiff neck, rash, sensitivity to gentle, and adjustments in stage of alertness. Anyone who turns into unwell with these signs is requested to hunt medical consideration instantly, the discharge stated.

&copy 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.