Health officials say college student has meningitis

February 2, 2015 6:10 pm

By The Associated Press

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ Rhode Island health officials say a Providence College student is being treated for meningococcal meningitis.

The state Department of Health announced the case Monday. The department says the student has been admitted to a hospital in the Boston area and is improving.

People who came into close contact with the student were given antibiotics.

The health department says it’s collaborating with the Massachusetts Department of Health.

Rhode Island‘s health director, Dr. Michael Fine, says the risk of contracting meningitis is low for Providence College students and staff. But he says meningitis is a dangerous disease and his department takes even a single case seriously.