National Medical Expert Weighs In on Meningitis at Providence College

 Twitter: @markcurtisABC6  

As students walked through Providence College, there remains a concern about meningitis on campus.

So we spoke with ABC News Chief Medical Editor, Dr. Richard Besser.

ABC6 Reporter Mark Curtis asked, “We have two diagnosed cases of meningococcal meningitis at Providence College, how serious is that?”

“Meningococcal meningitis can be a very serious disease. Ten to fifteen percent of people who have that infection are going to die from that infection. And another 10 to 20 percent of people who get it can be severely damaged. Hearing loss, loss of limbs. It’s a very frightening disease,” said Dr. Richard Besser, of ABC News.

Providence College has launched a massive immunization campaign, and so far 80 percent of undergraduates have gotten their first round of shots:

Another free campus clinic will be held Wednesday.

“The one thing we do know for sure is we’ve made the decision that students will not pay for the vaccine,” said PC Associate VP Steve Maurano.

ABC6 Chief Political Reporter Mark Curtis said, “For now Providence College is telling students to go about life as normal. For example, there’ll be a men’s basketball game here at the Dunk Wednesday night, and thousands of students will be here.”

Officials say normal activities such as games and classes are not where the disease is spread.

The critical thing now is that students get their next two vaccine shots at 2 and 6 month intervals.

“Now that there is that vaccine. It’s important that the students follow through and not just get that first dose, but get all three. That will ensure that they have the maximum amount of protection,” said Dr. Besser of ABC News.

The next clinic is Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Providence College Student Union.