The prospect of a meningitis outbreak at a university is one that frightens parents and media-relations administrators alike. Symptoms that are easily masked by fatigue and academic stress—and the possibility of fatality if not treated early enough—account for the severity of the reaction to the news of a case of meningitis.
When a Rensselaer student came down with the disease two weeks ago, the school responded quickly and positively to quell the spread, not only of meningitis, but also of panic. At $75 a pop, the Institute paid to give the vaccine to everyone on campus who requested it—students, staff, and faculty. This was despite the fact that everyone who RPI thought might have been exposed were treated with a strong antibiotic, virtually ensuring that there would be no further cases.
While RPI was merely following health guidelines in their actions, the Institute is to be commended for the amazing efficiency of its response. Not only were 1885 people vaccinated in the space of two days, but the process was amazingly smooth and efficient. Furthermore, the speed and quality of communication from the administration to the members of the community ensured that most people heard about meningitis from an official communication before they heard more alarming rumors.
Nonetheless, one wonders what might have happened if more than one student had contracted meningitis initially. The Institute was very efficient in halting a single-source "outbreak," but wouldn’t it have been better if that student had never contracted the disease in the first place?
Statistically, students are never at a higher risk for contracting meningitis than when they live in the close quarters of a dorm or fraternity house. RPI should provide the vaccine to all incoming freshmen. Fraternities and sororities would be wise to make it available for all brothers or sisters. Thanks in part to the Institute’s response, we weathered this crisis without tragedy. RPI must now take steps to ensure that we don’t have to respond to an outbreak again.
