Mid with meningitis symptoms dies

The Naval Academy freshman who was hospitalized last week for possible bacterial meningitis has died.

On Wednesday night, the 20-year-old was taken from the academy's Bancroft Hall to Baltimore Washington Medical Center. He was transferred to the University of Maryland Medical Center on Friday, and died early yesterday evening.

Academy officials weren't releasing the student's name or any personal information about him this morning, in keeping with a military policy that dictates names of the deceased are only released 24 hours after the family is notified.

Spokesman Jenny Erickson said the student's name probably will be released tonight.

"I'm sure the mood of the brigade is very somber," said Deborah Goode, media director at the academy. "They've lost one of their shipmates."

The superintendent, Vice Admiral Jeff Fowler, sent out a note last night to faculty, staff and midshipmen telling them about the student's death.

Tests still haven't confirmed his death was caused by bacterial meningitis, Ms. Erickson said.

In the meantime, prophylactic antibiotics have been given to 44 midshipmen who were in close proximity to him.

Those students also are being monitored by medical staff, academy officials said. No other midshipman, faculty or staff have been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis.

Family members of the midshipman already have been to the campus. Funeral arrangements haven't been finalized.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health no longer is involved with the case. Health officials said it now rests with the Naval Academy and the state.

When the case came to the forefront, the local health department was able to make recommendations on how to proceed, spokesman Elin Jones said.

"On any kind of public health issue, we work with any organization or institution that's within Anne Arundel County," Ms. Jones said. "We would do consulting with them."

Meningitis is an infection of the spinal cord fluid that surrounds the brain. It can be caused by either a virus or bacteria. Symptoms include fever, headache and a stiff neck, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Under Maryland law, college students living in dorms are required either to be vaccinated for the disease or sign a waiver saying they understand the risks of not being vaccinated.

The Naval Academy requires all incoming students to get the vaccine, said Karen Black, a spokesman for the State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Some forms of bacterial meningitis can be spread through close contact, through respiratory fluids from coughing or kissing.