HALIFAX – Nova Scotia’s Chief Public Health Officer confirmed Wednesday a second Acadia University student in Wolfville, N.S. has been diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis.
The female student, who lives off campus, is recovering in hospital. The lab confirmed the case of meningococcal meningitis on Tuesday night but confirmation on the strain may take a few days.
The student, identified on the university’s website as Hope Maryka, is the second Acadia student to contract the disease.
Fellow first-year business student Sarah Hastings, 18, died on Feb. 1 from the B strain of the disease.
In January, 16-year-old Rylee Sears of Lower Sackville died from the Y strain of the disease.
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Strang said if this latest case is confirmed as the B strain, it would be considered an outbreak at Acadia and a vaccination program would start on campus as early as next week.
“Our approach is going to be offering vaccine to students because they’re the population at risk,” he said. “We will also be offering vaccine to staff and faculty at Acadia who, because of individual medical circumstances, there are some medical conditions which put people at increased risk for meningococcal disease.”
However, if the latest case is confirmed as the Y or any other strain, Strang said the situation would be “more complicated” and the province would then have to work with national experts to determine a plan.
He added the province has already contacted vaccine manufacturers and are arranging supplies of the appropriate vaccines if necessary.
But Strang said there is no need to cancel classes or limit the movement of staff and students at Acadia and that the risk of getting the disease remains low in the general public.
In a statement on the university’s website, Acadia’s president and vice-chancellor, Ray Ivany, said he had visited Maryka in hospital and confirmed that she is doing well.
Ivany said Public Health nurses are on campus at the Student Health Centre and will continue to support the university’s team of medical professionals. As well, an information session hosted by Strang will be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday in Fountain Commons.
Follow-up sessions will be held in each residence tonight and over the next few days.
Symptoms of meningitis include fever, headache, change in alertness, stiff neck, rash, nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light.
Anyone exhibiting severe symptoms should go to an emergency department or call 911.
Public Health has established an information line for people with urgent concerns at 1-844-468-6805 (toll-free in North America) or 811 in Nova Scotia.
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