Health Information

Dear University of Florida Community:

A graduate student in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has been diagnosed with meningococcal disease and is currently hospitalized.

The Florida Department of Health and the UF Student Health Care Center are closely monitoring the situation and are taking all precautions to prevent the spread of the disease. Additionally, the Health Department has tracked down all those believed to have had contact with the student.

The student is under the best of care. The Alachua County Health Department is notifying those with whom the student has been in contact. Health Department staff also are determining on a case-by-case basis whether preventative (antibiotic) treatment is needed.

Meningococcal disease is a severe infection that is potentially life-threatening if not treated quickly. Common symptoms associated with meningococcal disease are a sudden fever, intense headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck or a rash. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical.

Please see below for additional information about meningococcal disease or go to http://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the UF Student Health Care Center Immunization Clinic at 352-294-7472 or the Florida Department of Health at 850-245-4444 or health@flhealth.gov.

The safety and well-being of our community remains our top priority; please do not hesitate to contact the Immunization Clinic or the Health department for questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Guy W. Nicolette, MD, CAQSM
Interim Director
Student Health Care Center
University of Florida