Health authorities reassure UC students and staff after Meningococcal Disease case

Published by the Communications and Development Department

 

8 September 2004

 

Community and Public Health has today advised the University of Canterbury that a student who has contracted meningococcal disease has not attended any classes within the past fortnight, and it has assured the University that the health of staff and students is not at any significant risk.

 

But Canterbury’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr Mel Brieseman, says the campus community must still be vigilant and anyone who has a flu-like illness accompanied by a severe headache, stiff neck or rash should seek medical advice.

 

Dr Brieseman says his staff have identified those who have had contact with the student and has offered them the appropriate medication.

 

Canterbury University’s student health Medical Director, Dr Joan Allardyce, says the student, who is receiving hospital treatment, is not a patient of the University’s health centre and does not reside in any of the University’s halls of residence.

 

The University is sorry to learn of the student’s illness and is monitoring the situation.

 

For further information please contact:

Dr Joan Allardyce
Student Health Medical Director
University of Canterbury
027 227 2076

 

John MacDonald
Communications Manager
University of Canterbury
03-364 2910
027-441 7280
john.macdonald@canterbury.ac.nz