HALIFAX – A second case of the B-strain of meningococcal meningitis has been confirmed at Acadia University.
The Department of Health and Wellness said lab results received late Thursday from the National Microbiology Lab confirmed the strain.
The student with the university’s latest case of meningitis was identified as Hope Maryka.
RELATED: Acadia University student dies from bacterial meningitis
“Two cases of the same strain of meningococcal meningitis in one location, such as a university campus, constitutes an institutional outbreak,” said N.S. Public Health Office Dr. Robert Strang.
Last week, lab results confirmed Acadia student Sarah Hastings died from the same strain.
RELATED: Acadia students celebrate life of student who passed away from meningitis
An on-campus vaccination program will begin Wednesday.
RELATED: N.S. doesn’t vaccinate against most common meningococcal meningitis strain
Clinics for the first dose of the vaccine will be held on Wednesday and Thursday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Fountain Commons.
The second clinic for the second dose will take place February 23 to 25 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
There will be another round of clinics before the end of the term for the second dose.
The vaccine will be made available for all students as well as faculty and staff with rare health conditions.
Last month, Rylee Sears, a teen from Lower Sackville, also died from a strain of meningitis.
Lab results, however, showed he had contracted the Y-strain of the disease.
- Buzz kill? Gen Z less interested in coffee than older Canadians, survey shows
- ‘She gets to be 10’: Ontario child’s heart donated to girl the same age
- Bird flu risk to humans an ‘enormous concern,’ WHO says. Here’s what to know
- Canada updating sperm donor screening criteria for men who have sex with men
Comments