An epidemic spreading across many college campuses recently has caused concerns at Iowa State and campuses nationwide. The disease causes permanent hearing loss, seizures and mental or behavioral diseases in one third to half of the 2,600 people who are infected each year. Like on other campuses, students at ISU are affected by special risk factors that increase the spread of the disease. Students housed in tight dormitories, as well as students who smoke, drink and attend bars are more susceptible to meningitis.
Stress caused by frequent lack of sleep also contributes to acquiring the disease.
Peak times to contract meningitis include a two-week period following an outbreak of influenza, said Patricia Quinlisk, state epidemiologist for the Iowa Department of Public Health. Quinlisk said the bacteria that triggers meningitis normally lingers in the back of the throat and rarely becomes activated. She added that the number of people who are unaware that they carry the disease totals five to 10 percent. According to ACHA, colleges and universities like ISU that maintain a student population of about 25,000 will see a case about every eight years. Indiana University reported one fatality from meningitis in September 1997, and a recent death involved a graduate student at the University of Florida.