Meningitis Shows Up On CU Campus For 1st Time In 5 Years

BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - A junior at the University of Colorado in Boulder remains hospitalized this week with a rare case of meningitis.

Officials say it's the university's first case of meningococcal meningitis in five years. They are now urging students to take the vaccine.

The junior, a 21-year-old woman who lives off campus, was hospitalized on Friday. CU health officials say the student first came down with flu-like symptoms and later realized it was much more serious.

As well as encouraging students to get vaccinated, university officials say there are additional ways students can protect themselves.

"Be careful about sharing secretions, so coughing, sneezing, kissing are all risk factors," said Dr. Don Misch, assistant vice chancellor for health and wellness with the CU Health Center. "(So is) sharing eating utensils, cups, cigarettes, chapstick."

So far no one else on campus has been diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis.