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Published On: Tue, Nov 12th, 2013

New Jersey health officials consider Princeton meningococcal disease cases an outbreak

After the seventh case of meningococcal meningitis was diagnosed in a Princeton University student this weekend, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) said they considered the situation an outbreak, according to a statement Saturday.

For the purposes of this situation, and in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the NJDOH is considering this to be a school-based outbreak of meningococcal disease. Given that we have 6 individuals diagnosed with Neisseria meningitidis  serogroup (type) B in a short period of time, in an abundance of caution, we are considering this an outbreak. The 7th case remains under investigation and laboratory data are pending. We hope that by considering this an outbreak, we will increase awareness and prompt early case recognition among members of the Princeton community and healthcare providers.

The seven cases have occurred since March of this year; however, health officials say there is no common link between the cases.

“Cases of meningococcal disease can occur sporadically in college settings since this population has an increased risk for meningococcal disease. “

Health authorities are not recommending the cancellation of activities or events at Princeton due to this outbreak.

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Blair Hall at Princeton University Public domain photo/Wikimedia commons

Blair Hall at Princeton University Public domain photo/Wikimedia commons

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About the Author

- Writer, Co-Founder and Executive Editor of The Global Dispatch. Robert has been covering news in the areas of health, world news and politics for a variety of online news sources. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the website, Outbreak News Today and hosts the podcast, Outbreak News Interviews on iTunes, Stitcher and Spotify Robert is politically Independent and a born again Christian Follow @bactiman63

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    […] possible bacterial meningitis case at Georgia Tech follows the declared meningococcal meningitis outbreak at Princeton University in New Jersey and the two cases reported at the UC Santa Barbara in […]

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    […] the seventh confirmed case of Neisseria meningitis B infection at Princeton University since March, the school is considering the use of a European Union/Australia -approved vaccine that […]

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