Loyola University Maryland Student Hospitalized With Meningitis

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A health scare on campus. A student at Loyola University Maryland is hospitalized with bacterial meningitis. Now students are put on alert.

Kai Jackson has more on the illness.

The student was rushed to a hospital emergency room and Thursday it was confirmed--that person has meningitis.

News that a student has a case of bacterial meningitis spread quickly on the campus of Loyola University Maryland.

"Actually I just got the email. I looked at it in class and it seems like the campus has it under control," said sophomore Salvatore Scalfani.

The school issued a statement explaining what happened and what's being done about it. Loyola declined an on-camera interview, but city health officials did talk.

"If you are a Loyola student and you think that you've had contact with the person, then in that situation I would recommend contacting your doctor," said Dr. Oxiris Barbot, Baltimore Health Commissioner.

At least one person on campus tells us he's not worried, but he is taking precautions.

"I try to wash my hands every time I go back to my dorm room, every time before I eat," a student said.

Meningitis is spread by close contact with an infected person. Symptoms include chills, fever, vomiting, headaches, stiff neck and rashes.

"It would help us to know so that we make sure that maybe we weren't interacting with that person," student Chika Dunga said.

Meningitis can potentially be deadly if untreated, however, that sickened student is in stable condition.

Maryland requires meningitis vaccinations for all students living in on-campus housing.