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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 4, 1999)
1 tis vaccines ■I M Despite recent mention in the news, meningitis has not affected any UNL students, health center says. By George Green Staff writer Prompted by phone calls from concerned parents and a statement from a federal advisory panel, the University Health Center wants to let students knowr it has meningitis vac cines. The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recently said freshman residence hall students are at a slightly higher risk for con tracting meningococcal meningitis. Residence hall students live in crowded conditions with many stu dents, which makes them more likely to contract the illness, said Linda Rizijs, nursing director at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln health center. Bacterial meningitis spreads through coughing or kissing and causes fever, headache, nausea and, in rare cases, death, Rizijs said. Students should not be worried, . *i.. -t zLteCX •.>4.; ,€/••••* -n* 'ls4s.il y and no UNL students have reported meningitis, Rizijs said. Only three out of every 100.000 young adults between the ages of 14 and 19 contract the illness, Rizijs said. Rizijs said, in response to the panel’s advice, the health center is trying to increase awareness about meningitis. Also, Rizijs said, several con cerned parents and students called the health center after they saw a “20/20” report about meningitis. . If a breakout occurs, the health center has response procedures to deal with the problem, Rizijs said. “We are tied in with the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), tiie state health department and the L incoln, Lancaster County Health Department to deal with possible out breaks," Rizijs said. ( “We just want to students to know we're here to give it, ami we’ve got it," Rizijs said. During October, 42 students paid $73 for the vaccine, Rizijs said. Jamie Goodwin, a freshman busi ness administration major, got the vaccination. “I saw something on ‘Dateline' and heard that you should get a shot,” Goodwin said. a-; We just want to students to know we 're here to give (vaccinations), and we ve got it." Linda Rizjis health center nursing director
