PESTILENCE WATCH:Infection proves fatal for student at Dillard

A 22-year-old Dillard University student has died of a rare infection of the bloodstream that can spread bacteria throughout the body, New Orleans Health Department Director Kevin Stephens said Tuesday.Citing a request for privacy from the man's family, Dillard spokeswoman Karen Celestan said she could not release the name of the student, who died Friday. However, the state Office of Public Health is offering preventive care to the student's close contacts and offering information about the illness, said Dr. Takeisha Davis, the department's regional medical director.{{{{{Although the infection is difficult to treat because it moves quickly, Stephens said vaccines are effective. The body needs about two weeks after the shot to build up enough antibodies to ward off the infection, Davis said.}}}}}Dillard will be offering free immunizations to faculty, staff and students today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Lawless Memorial Chapel, Celestan said.{{{{{{This infection, which can cause death within two days, is rare, striking one person in 500,000, Stephens said.Early warning signs are rash, fever and flulike symptoms.}}}}}}At this point, "there's no need to call out the troops," Stephens said, because this case appears to be an isolated one.People can ward off the infection with basic hygienic practices such as frequent hand-washing and covering the mouth when coughing and sneezing, and not sharing personal items such as razors, he said.{{{{{{The vaccine to be administered today is used to combat meningitis, which, Stephens said, is related to this ailment.}}}}}} Such infections can be common among first- and second-year college students because they are more likely to live close together in dormitories. State law requires the vaccine for incoming college students, Stephens said.
Older people are also vulnerable, he said.
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