Second Athlete Treated

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               

February 28, 2008

CONTACT: Rod Surber (417) 625-9399

 

JOPLIN, MO (SNS) – Missouri Southern State University officials have been informed by the Joplin City Health Department that a second student-athlete has been treated for Neisseria meningitidis infection (bacterial meningitis).

 

The individual was identified as having close personal contact with MSSU student-athlete Danny Sickles who passed away last Saturday. Every member of the MSSU baseball team is being administered the antibiotic as a precautionary measure.

 

The University is working with the Joplin Health Department to insure that all appropriate steps are being taken to protect the safety of the students. Bacterial meningitis is spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (i.e. coughing, kissing and sneezing).

 

Only individuals who had close personal contact with the second student or Danny while they were ill are considered to be at higher risk, Joplin City Health Department officials stated. The second student has been interviewed to determine any such contacts.

 

Missouri Southern students who have questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the MSSU Health Center or the Joplin City Health Department.

 

Missouri Southern recommends the meningitis vaccine for all students, but especially for students living in the Residence Halls. Danny lived in an apartment off campus, not in the University’s Residence Halls.

 

For additional information about meningococcal disease, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

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