Health Department officials in Westchester are investigating a possible case of bacterial meningitis at Berkeley College in White Plains.
A 23-year-old student was taken to White Plains Hospital early Friday morning, after police were called to her dorm.
Berkeley College posted a statement on their site, saying they are "working closely with the Westchester County Department of Health to identify and evaluate close contacts of this case who may need to receive post exposure treatment."
They say this type of meningitis is not spread through "casual contact" and is spread only through direct sharing of oral secretions from an infected person. This includes anyone who may have shared a drink, kissed or used the same utensils as the person affected.
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Meningitis is a severe bacterial infection of the bloodstream or meninges (a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord) caused by the meningococcus germ. It is treated by antibiotics, and there are three vaccines available for the prevention of the disease -- although they don't protect against every germ that can cause the disease.
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