The efforts of the College Health Services and the State Health Department to prevent further cases of meningococcal infections at the College have reached most students on campus, and no more cases of the disease have been confirmed.
Dr. John Turco of College Health Services said approximately 1,300 students - about 80 percent of those attending the Summer term -received free vaccinations for the meningococcus bacteria. Vaccinations will continue through Wednesday at Dick's House.
He said although ideally he would like to have all students vaccinated, 80 percent was a realistic goal.
"All this summer we're going to be as cautious as we can," Turco said. "Vaccination is an important factor in minimizing the chances of other cases, which may emerge next year, or even five years from now."
Although a significant portion of the College population has been vaccinated, Turco said the possibility of contracting a meningococcal infection has not been eliminated.
"There's always a risk of bacteria and there will always be that risk in the future. [An outbreak] can happen randomly at any time," he said.
Turco said he expects to be vaccinating more people as they arrive on campus late. He cited the crew team, which is still in England and has not yet returned, as one group that will receive the vaccine later in the term.
Turco said an ongoing goal for Health Services is to vaccinate as many people as possible and keep them aware of the symptoms of a meningococcal disease.
Health services will continue to disperse information about symptoms, which include sudden high fever, chills, severe headache, stiff neck and back, painful joints, vomiting, extreme sleepiness, loss of consciousness, seizures and rashes.
The dean's office will send at least one more BlitzMail message some time within the next week updating the College community on the situation.
Meningococcal bacteria are passed through intimate contact.
The infection is spread through bacteria living in the throats of carriers, which make up a small percentage of the population. In rare instances, the bacteria enter the bloodstream and cause illness.
Concern about meningococcal infections on campus began during Senior Week with the death of Jenica Rosekrans '00 and the infection of Nicholas Calamari '01.
