Since the end of January four cases of bacterial meningitis have been confirmed in Lafayette, and one student has died of the disease.
Three of the cases are current University of Louisiana-Lafayette students, one of which lived in an on-campus apartment. The fourth case involved a former ULL student.
Julie Dronet, director of public relations and news services at ULL, said the university is investigating another possible case at this time.
On Jan. 27 Robert Acosta, a ULL student who lived on campus in the Voorhies Hall of Legacy Park, died of a blood infection caused by the same bacteria that causes bacterial meningitis.
On Feb. 9, Cameron Andros, a former ULL student and member of Theta Xi fraternity, died of bacterial meningitis. The other two students are also members of Theta Xi and are currently in the hospital undergoing treatment for meningitis.
Dronet said friends of those diagnosed have been given preventative antibiotics as a precautionary measure. On Monday, sororities, fraternities and residents of the Voorhies Hall of Legacy Park were given the opportunity to be vaccinated. On Tuesday, students 20 years of age and under and all campus residents were also given the opportunity to be vaccinated.
According to the Louisiana Office of Public Health Infectious Disease Epidemiology Section, meningitis is not highly contagious. It is spread through intimate contact, such as kissing and sharing food, beverages and cigarettes.
Kristen Meyer, public information officer with the Department of Health and Hospitals, recommended practicing good hygiene as a preventative measure. She said this includes washing hands and avoiding eating and drinking after someone.
She said the common symptoms are high fevers, headaches and a stiff neck. Meyer warned that the vaccine is only a preventative measure. It is not a cure for the disease, and it takes about 10 to 14 days to take effect.
LSU has not had any cases of meningitis reported this year, but the Student Health Center offers vaccines for $85.
 
Contact Samantha Walker at [email protected]