Informational Web site supports ongoing efforts
Mar 10, 2010
By Monica Chapman

A new Web site is serving Ohio University's on-going informational campaign about the symptoms, risks, and prevention of bacterial meningitis.

Launched today, the site addresses health-risk management as it pertains to bacterial meningitis on the college campus.

"OHIO is taking a leadership position in keeping our students informed as to how they can minimize their health risks," said Ryan Lombardi, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students. "This Web site is a valuable resource in providing answers to frequently asked questions about meningitis to students, faculty, staff and parents."

The Web site supports ongoing efforts by the Division of Student Affairs to inform parents, students, faculty and staff on the symptoms, risks and prevention of bacterial meningitis. The initiative complements a university-wide commitment to transparency and education regarding health issues of public concern.

Student Affairs kicked off the bacterial meningitis informational campaign on March 2 with an audio conference for parents of Ohio University students. That same day, members of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) arrived on the Athens campus, as part of an epidemiology study on bacterial meningitis.

On March 5, the CDC reclassified recent cases of bacterial meningitis on Ohio University's campus as an outbreak. In the last calendar year, there have been seven instances of bacterial meningitis Type B at Ohio University -- all of which have been genetically identical strains.

To view Ohio University's bacterial meningitis information site, visit www.ohio.edu/healthalerts/meningitis/.