As many are well aware, the University recently confirmed a case of meningococcal disease within the student community. Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson’s reassurances regarding the situation were beamed directly to everyone with a student.otago.ac.nz address. Meningitis is not to be messed with – it is inflammation of the membranes around your brain, usually caused by bacterial or viral infections (such as meningococcal).
“[T]he University reacted swiftly and we are working closely with the National Public Health Service”, Robertson explains. “People identified as close contacts have been contacted directly and antibiotic and vaccination protection is being offered to them.” Grant notes that student health and safety is the University’s “highest priority” and the University has “established processes to respond to situations like this.”
Given Critic Te Ārohi is a stickler for the details, we hit up Gerard Rushton, Chair of The Meningitis Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand. When asked how students can best stay safe, Gerard emphasises that the best thing is to go and get vaccinated, but to also be conscious of “sharing drinks, sharing vapes [...] to eliminate the spread of this.” He urges students to visit www.meningitis.org.nz and have a look and be aware of the signs and symptoms. If you are unsure of your vaccination status, contact your GP or Student Health.
According to the Meningitis Foundation website, someone with meningitis (meningococcal being a type of bacterial meningitis) will become very ill over one or two days, but sometimes also in a matter of hours. Cases typically start with a high fever, severe headache and stiff neck. Vomiting, drowsiness, confusion or difficulty walking often follow. The person may complain of discomfort when looking at bright lights and cold hands, feet or limb pain. In some cases a rash may appear.
“[Meningoccocal] presents like a hangover or the flu,” Gerard explains. So if you wake up feeling dusty or fluey without having even gone out last night, Gerard urges students to know that the disease can move quickly and not to “second guess” their symptoms. Meningococcal bacteria live in people’s noses and throats, and are spread by coughing, sneezing, or contact with nose and throat secretions. While the disease generally requires prolonged contact with a case to be spread, “any contact can spread it”. Gerard says that when your immune system is “run down”, it seems to create a breeding ground for the disease. “It’s just that time of year at University where everyone is socialising, burning the candle at both ends. This disease seems to find a weakness, and then take off.”
Despite the seriousness of the disease, Grant assures that the “risk remains low” for the wider student community, as the infection is generally passed on when people have close or prolonged contact with an infected person. To be clear, clozse or prolonged contact is those who sleep at least one night in the same household (not residential homes who sleep in different rooms) with someone sick with meningococcal. Close or prolonged contact is also sitting in a seat (like on a bus) adjacent to someone sick with meningococcal for more than eight hours.
Ultimately, Gerard says that if students are concerned for their wellbeing, they should err on the side of caution. “You cannot risk it,” he says. There are members of our University community who are immunocompromised as well – be safe, and stop going to lectures if you’ve got the sniffles.
What to do if you feel unwell
If you experience fever together with headache, neck stiffness, or feel suddenly very unwell, please seek medical help immediately.
Student Health Services
03 479 8212
Healthline (24 hours)
0800 611 116
Emergency
111
