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Salute Magazine
The number of victims of meningococcal meningitis in New York is on the rise. The New York State Health Departments has been investigating the illnesses and deaths of residents suspected of suffering from bacterial meningococcal meningitis.
In one incident, Craig Schiesser, an 18-year-old student of SUNY College at Oswego in upstate New York, was found dead on the floor of his Oneida Hall dorm room around 9:00 AM on Friday, March 14th. He was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. Autopsy results confirm that the freshman died from meningitis. Schiesser was from Westbury in Nassau County but, according to health officials, he had not been back on Long Island since returning to college after the December break.
Bacterial meningitis is spread through direct contact with nose and throat excretions of an infected individual including being sneezed or coughed on by the individual, sharing food, a drinking glass or a cigarette with the infected individual, or by kissing them. Anyone who may have come in contact with Schiesser within the past ten days is urged to seek medical attention.
Dr. Dennis Norfleet, Oswego County Medical Director, emphasizes that meningococcal bacteria are not easily transmitted by routine or casual contact with an infected person such as being in the same dining room, classroom, hallway or restroom.
Another incident occurred at Cornell University where two unidentified students have been hospitalized within the past week for meningitis symptoms. The patients are a 21-year-old female and a 19-year-old male. According to school officials, it is believed the two students may have had contact with each other at one of three campus parties that were held in early March.
Two of the parties occurred on March 6 at 124 Catherine Street and 118 Cook Street. The third party in question was held at the Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity house at 306 Highland Road on March 8. All students attending any of these parties are urged to seek medical attention.
Both students are reported to be in stable condition. The male is currently an inpatient at Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca and the female is currently an inpatient at an undisclosed hospital near her home.
Simeon Moss, a spokesman for Cornell, stated that the first case was discovered on March 8, when the female student was hospitalized at Cayuga Medical Center with symptoms of meningococcal meningitis. The following Thursday, March 13th, was when the male student arrived at the same hospital also exhibiting symptoms of the disease.
The latest victim is a 58-year-old man from Levittown who died on March 15th after having been ill for several days. The man worked as a machine mechanic for Kozy Shack Enterprises, a pudding factory. The mechanic left work early on Friday and was hospitalized Saturday after relatives found him unconscious in his home.
Dr. Maria Torroella Carney, the Nassau County health commissioner, said an investigation "did not reveal any close contacts through his work environment" and stated that there was no danger of contamination at the factory.”
Bob Striano, president and CEO of Kozy Shack Enterprises, Inc., said that although health officials have assured him there is no health risk, the company, "will facilitate proactive health screening to any employees who request it."
Health officials advised that anyone who may have shared food, drink, eating utensils or a beverage container, or exchanged bodily fluids with the victim between March 5 and March 15, should contact their healthcare provider to receive preventive treatment. According to Carney, the victim's family and close friends are already receiving treatment.
Meningococcal meningitis is an infection that attacks and inflames the outer membranes of the brain and spinal cord. About 300 people nationwide die of the disease every year, according to the New York State Health Department.
Symptoms of meningitis may include fever, severe headache or neck-ache, chills, mental confusion, stiff neck, vomiting, sensitivity to light, nausea, excessive fatigue and a red or purple rash. The disease is rarely fatal.
Anyone who may have had close contact with one of these individuals, or who is ill with these symptoms, should seek immediate care from their personal health care provider or go to an emergency room.
