A Northwest Arkansas Community College student who was recently diagnosed with meningitis has died, according to the school.
Members of administration were contacted Monday by the Benton and Washington County Health Departments, alerting them to the student's diagnosis. The student passed away Sunday evening.
Members of administration were contacted Monday by the Benton and Washington County Health Departments, alerting them to the student's diagnosis. The student passed away Sunday evening.
"We were notified earlier today [Monday] by the Washington County Health Department that one of our students passed away last evening [Sunday] from meningitis," says Steven Hinds, the Director of Communications at NWACC.
Now school administrators are trying to keep the infection from spreading.
"We began immediately putting in precautions and notifying both our faculty and staff and our students."
Officials now tracing the students class schedule and finding out where he may have been in the past week.
He was last seen in this computer labs last Tuesday, so the school's not taking any chances.
"We have closed that computer lab and it is being wiped down and disinfected for any remaining germs that might be there," says Hinds.
Crews also cleaning every high traffic area, like hallways and benches, just in case.
The Arkansas State Health Department says Meningitis spreads through respiratory secretions, meaning coughing, sneezing or sharing utensils.
Here are the meningitis warning signs: A fever, intense headache, vomiting and rash--all the flu-like symptoms.
But there hasn't been a lot of cases reported this year, only six across the state.
NWACC has never dealt with Meningitis on their campus, so they're asking students to take extra care with hygiene.
"In every building and usually just within a few feet of anywhere you are in any of our buildings there are hand sanitizers."
And with every health measure taken, now the community is remembering one of their own.
"We're saddened anytime we learn of the death of a student or a faculty or staff member so people are certainly thinking about his family and friends at this time," says Hinds.
Here's the full press release and statement from the school:
Officials at NorthWest Arkansas Community College were contacted today by the Benton and Washington County Health Departments about a student who had contracted a meningococcal infection (meningitis). We are saddened to have learned that the student passed away yesterday evening, November 18th.
School officials are in the process of identifying and contacting those individuals who may have come into close contact with the student.
As a matter of prevention and cooperation, all students, faculty, and staff members were notified this afternoon and were asked to take precautionary measures and to seek medical attention if they are experiencing serious flu-like symptoms, which are defined by the Arkansas Department of Health as "fever, intense headache, irritability or listlessness, vomiting and rash."
College officials are also in the process of disinfecting high-traffic areas and those known to have been visited by the student.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the student, his family, and friends during this difficult time," said Dr. Steven Gates, Senior Vice President for Learning and Provost.
Here's the full press release and statement from the school:
Officials at NorthWest Arkansas Community College were contacted today by the Benton and Washington County Health Departments about a student who had contracted a meningococcal infection (meningitis). We are saddened to have learned that the student passed away yesterday evening, November 18th.
School officials are in the process of identifying and contacting those individuals who may have come into close contact with the student.
As a matter of prevention and cooperation, all students, faculty, and staff members were notified this afternoon and were asked to take precautionary measures and to seek medical attention if they are experiencing serious flu-like symptoms, which are defined by the Arkansas Department of Health as "fever, intense headache, irritability or listlessness, vomiting and rash."
College officials are also in the process of disinfecting high-traffic areas and those known to have been visited by the student.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the student, his family, and friends during this difficult time," said Dr. Steven Gates, Senior Vice President for Learning and Provost.
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