Meningitis Outbreak At Santa Clara University Linked To Fraternity
SANTA CLARA (CBS SF) -- Hundreds of South Bay college students continued to get emergency vaccinations Friday in the wake of an outbreak of a rare strain of meningitis that has been linked to a fraternity.
The free clinic and meningitis vaccine became a victim of its own success Thursday as extended waits in long lines left many students without receiving the shots. Those people were forced to return Friday for the potentially life-saving treatment.
"We live in the building with the two kids. So it's a little bit more real, because I know them too," said student Sarah Khaliji.
Khaliji rushed out after class Thursday to get in line, only to learn the clinic couldn't accommodate all the students who showed up.
"The bacteria can spread into the bloodstream and then it can become a very serious illness," said DR. Alex Studemeister of O'Connor Hospital.
Health officials had urged students to get vaccinated because most weren't protected against the strain of meningitis that had sickened three members of a campus fraternity.
The bacteria, if not diagnosed properly and treated promptly, can be deadly.
"If you do develop symptoms like fever, nausea and headache you need to get to a doctor immediately," said Dr. Studemeister.
Students heeded the warning. Local hospitals say they were inundated over the weekend with people who feared they had been exposed to the disease.
Most were sent home with a single-dose of antibiotic as a bit of preventative medicine.
Many students say they were willing to wait in line for the peace of mind the vaccine would bring.
"The lines were really long yesterday and today. But I think the school communicated the severity of the risk. That's why I think so many people came out," said student Brice Kanehira