Confirmed Bacterial Meningitis Media Statement

An undergraduate student at Georgia Southern University residing off-campus was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and was treated with prophylactic medication and immediately transported to the East Georgia Regional Medical Center for additional testing and treatment. Initial testing indicated the student does have bacterial meningitis and the diagnosis was confirmed on Monday, November 12.

The general public is not at risk and those individuals who had close contact with the individual have been treated with antibiotics. No other cases have been reported at this time and the student is responding well to treatment and is expected to recover.

The Bulloch County Department of Public Health has been notified and appropriate infection control measures are being taken to contain further infection.  It is important to note that the student in question only had close personal contact with a limited number of individuals. The University and the Bulloch County Public Health Infection Control staff may continue to identify any additional persons that may have come into contact with this student.

The infected student’s roommate and those in close personal contact were notified and have been treated with prophylactic medication, as have all University staff involved with the student’s treatment.  Georgia Southern University’s Department of Health Services continues to monitor the situation and is working with the Bulloch County Department of Public Health to ensure that every effort is made to ensure that the situation is contained to those already identified.

The Georgia Southern University Department of Health Service will continue to answer any questions and manage any student, faculty or staff concerns.

For more information, see FAQ’s at: https://ww2.georgiasouthern.edu/news/Q&A.htm.