U of I Student May Have Meningitis

A University of Iowa student is hospitalized with a suspected case of meningitis. Health officials say other students who were at risk of exposure to the disease are being taken care of. Dr. Mary Khowassah (kah-WASS’-ah) is Director of the U-of-I Student Health Service. She says friends and roommates of the infected student and other students in the dorm have all been warned about the warning signs of meningitis. The student has not been identified but he -or she- is hospitalized in good condition. Dr. Khowassah says the infection is most often spread through close contact — like sharing a toothbrush or eating utensils. She says the proper precautions are being taken to head of a spread of the infection. This is the second case of meningitis reported at the University of Iowa in the last year. The other case appeared last May.