Update: Feb. 11, 2011, 8:12 p.m.
To the Aggie Family,
I deeply regret to tell you that we were just notified by the family of Nicolis T. Williams, the Texas A&M student who was recently hospitalized with bacterial meningitis, that he passed away this evening. My thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn the loss of their precious loved one. Over the past few days, the Student Affairs team has spent considerable time with his family members, close friends and classmates to provide support and counseling. His family and close friends told them countless stories about an exceptional individual who loved his family, friends and Texas A&M. While we believe this to be our first death associated with bacterial meningitis, one death is obviously too many. It is always a tragedy when a fellow member of the Aggie Family dies, even more so when it is a young person with the promise of a bright future. As with all currently enrolled students who pass away during the academic year, he will be honored at Silver Taps and Muster later this semester.
Sadly, his death is a sobering reminder of the serious dangers of bacterial meningitis. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important. I strongly encourage all students to seek medical attention immediately if they have symptoms of the illness that include high fever, headache and stiff neck — even if they have been previously vaccinated. Additional information is available on the Student Health Services website at http://shs.tamu.edu/news/meningitis.htm.
The Offices of the Dean of Student Life will be staffing a toll-free line (1.888.440.7345) to address questions and/or concerns on Saturday, February 12 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. (CST) and Sunday, February 13 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. (CST).
Student Health Services will have medical staff available for meningitis exposure evaluations for students on Saturday, February 12 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Sunday, February 13 from noon until 2 p.m. Faculty and staff should contact their local physician for information about antibiotics and related health concerns.
Also, the HelpLine at the Student Counseling Service (979.845.2700) is available weekdays during the evening and 24 hours on weekends to take calls and provide information, referral, support and crisis assessment, and intervention for all concerned students.
Please keep the Williams family and close friends in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with unspeakable grief in the days and weeks ahead.
LtGen Joseph Weber, Vice President for Student Affairs
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Update Feb. 11, 2011
MEMORANDUM
TO: Texas A&M Students, Faculty & Staff
FROM: LtGen Joseph Weber, Vice President for Student Affairs
SUBJECT: Update: Bacterial Meningitis
Earlier this week, we provided you with information that a Texas A&M University student had been hospitalized after being diagnosed as possibly having contracted bacterial meningitis. Today, Public Health officials confirmed this diagnosis. This remains the university’s only known active case at this time.
Based on this new information, the following student services will be available over the weekend:
The Offices of the Dean of Student Life will be staffing a toll-free line (1.888.440.7345) to address your questions and/or concerns on Saturday, February 12 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (CST) and Sunday, February 13 from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. (CST).
Student Health Services will have medical staff available for meningitis exposure evaluations for students on Saturday, February 12 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Sunday, February 13 from noon – 2 p.m. Faculty and staff should contact their local physician for information about antibiotics. Faculty and staff should contact their local physician for information should they be concerned about exposure.
The HelpLine (979.845.2700) at Texas A&M’s Student Counseling Service is available 24 hours on the weekends to take calls and provide information, referral, support and crisis assessment, and intervention for Texas A&M students and those concerned about Texas A&M students.
After 5 p.m. additional questions about meningitis can be directed to Dial-A-Nurse at 979.458.8379. Additional information can be found on the Student Health Services website at http://shs.tamu.edu/news/meningitis.htm.
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February 8, 2011
MEMORANDUM
TO: Texas A&M Students, Faculty & Staff
FROM: LtGen Joseph Weber, Vice President for Student Affairs
SUBJECT: Texas A&M Student Hospitalized for Bacterial Meningitis
A Texas A&M student has been hospitalized after being diagnosed as possibly having contracted bacterial meningitis. According to state and national health officials, bacterial meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly disease that can progress extremely fast. This is the university?s only known active case at this time. The diagnosis is awaiting final confirmation by Public Health officials. The name and/or health status of the student are being withheld due to privacy laws.
Bacterial Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord and can be safely treated with antibiotics. Exposure to bacterial meningitis is through close personal contact with respiratory droplets. Activities such as kissing or sharing a drink or cigarette with the infected individual pose a higher risk of infection, while indirect contact through coughing, sneezing, or the spread of respiratory droplets onto surfaces that are touched by others and then brought to the nose or mouth pose a lower risk of infection.
The university has an extensive protocol for dealing with communicable diseases, one it has followed since becoming aware of the first reported case of meningitis, a disease that strikes about 3,000 Americans each year. Be assured that we are taking all prudent reaction and precautionary steps in this current reported cases, including the following:
- Classmates and faculty of the student have been notified directly of the situation and are being updated as new information becomes known.
- Student Health Services will consult with students who believe they might have been exposed and distribute antibiotics free of charge and without appointment to students who are determined to be at risk.
- Students who wish to lessen their risk of contracting meningitis in future exposures can receive a vaccine by visiting Student Health Services. The cost of the vaccine administered through Student Health Services is $125.
- Faculty and staff should contact their local physician for information about antibiotics.
Symptoms of bacterial meningitis are high fever, headache and stiff neck. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important. If you experience any of these symptoms, even if you have been previously vaccinated, you are strongly encouraged to seek medical attention immediately.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends all students get a vaccination as part of college enrollment and university officials have conveyed that information during enrollment conferences. For more information, go to http://www.cdc.gov/ .
Questions and/or concerns should be directed to the Offices of the Dean of Student Life at 1.888.440.7345 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. After 5 p.m. additional questions about meningitis can be directed to Dial-A-Nurse at 979.458.8379. Additional information can be found on the Student Health Services website at http://shs.tamu.edu/news/meningitis.htm.
