Human Interest
Stellenbosch student in hospital with meningitis─── 05:59 Sat, 16 Apr 2016
Cape Town – A Stellenbosch University student was admitted to hospital after being diagnosed with Meningococcal meningitis, an official confirmed on Friday.
"Feedback from the hospital is that the student is making good progress," said university spokesperson, Martin Viljoen.
The student is from of a men’s residence in Stellenbosch.
"In line with national protocols, residents of the residence with whom the student had contact, already received prophylactic medication and no further cases were reported," said Viljoen.
Brochures with the relevant information were also distributed to the students. Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and is caused by either a bacterial or viral infection. If not treated, it can lead to permanent damage, such as deafness, and even death.
Last year, a Potchefstroom first-year student died after contracting meningococcal meningitis. She had lived in the Oosterhof women's residence.
Viljoen said the university was monitoring the situation on a continuous basis.
- News24.com
