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Meningitis strain in Drexel student connected to Princeton outbreak
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The strain of serogroup B meningococcal disease that infected a Drexel University student who died of the disease matches the strain in the outbreak at Princeton University by genetic fingerprinting, according to a CDC statement.
The Drexel University student died on March 10. A public health investigation found that the student had been in close contact with students from Princeton University about 1 week before the illness.
“This information suggests that the outbreak strain may still be present in the Princeton University community and we need to be vigilant for additional cases,” according to the CDC statement.
In the Drexel case, the local health department in Philadelphia investigated who had been in close contact with the student before illness onset. Those who may have had close contact were recommended and administered antibiotic prophylaxis. There have been no other cases reported at Drexel.
Eight students at Princeton University were affected by the outbreak, but there have been no new cases at the university since a vaccination campaign began Dec. 9. Although there are no serogroup B vaccines licensed in the United States, the CDC and FDA approved use of a vaccine licensed in Europe and Australia for eligible Princeton University students.
Drexel University and the local health department are taking recommended steps to prevent more cases. Drexel is not experiencing an outbreak of the disease, and members of the community are not considered to be at risk. The vaccine is not available for the Drexel University community.
“We will continue to closely monitor the situation and determine next steps while local health authorities remain vigilant to recognizing and promptly treating any new cases,” according to the CDC statement. “At this time, CDC does not recommend limiting social interactions or canceling travel plans as a preventive measure for meningococcal disease.”