Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

Message from Dr. Karen Nardella

Friday, October 5, 2018, By Kelly Homan Rodoski
Share

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

Earlier this week, I shared with you that a member of our campus community had been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. We have now learned that the student has serogroup B meningococcal meningitis, otherwise known as Meningitis B. We are coordinating closely with the Onondaga County Health Department and at this time, the general Syracuse University community is not at increased risk.

Students who have had prolonged and/or intimate contact with the ill student are deemed to be at the greatest risk. In accordance with public health protocol, students who share a room with the student or have had very close contact with the student have received antibiotics. If you have not been contacted by Health Services, you are not at increased risk from this case.

Being informed is the most powerful tool in preventing, detecting and treating meningitis. As a reminder, I am sharing with you key information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Meningitis is the swelling of brain and spinal cord.
• The bacteria that causes meningococcal meningitis is spread through close, prolonged contact with an infected individual, specifically through the exchange of saliva. However, even with close and intimate contact, contracting meningococcal meningitis is rare.
• Symptoms include sudden fever, headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting and confusion.
• If you experience symptoms, students should call Health Services at 315.443.9005; faculty and staff should call their primary care physician.
• To reduce the spread of meningococcal meningitis, avoid exchanging saliva; do not share beverages, eating utensils, smoking paraphernalia or toothbrushes; wash your hands well; and vaccination.

To learn more about meningitis, please visit health.syr.edu. Anyone with additional questions or concerns should contact Health Services at 315.443.9005.

Sincerely,

Karen Nardella, M.D.
Medical Director, Syracuse University Health Services

 

  • Author

Kelly Rodoski

  • Recent
  • WiSE Hosts the 2025 Norma Slepecky Memorial Lecture and Undergraduate Research Prize Award Ceremony
    Friday, June 13, 2025, By News Staff
  • Inaugural Meredith Professor Faculty Fellows Announced
    Friday, June 13, 2025, By Wendy S. Loughlin
  • Lab THRIVE: Advancing Student Mental Health and Resilience
    Thursday, June 12, 2025, By News Staff
  • 7 New Representatives Added to the Board of Trustees
    Wednesday, June 11, 2025, By News Staff
  • Whitman Honors Outstanding Alumni and Friends at 2025 Awards and Appreciation Event
    Tuesday, June 10, 2025, By News Staff

More In Campus & Community

Inaugural Meredith Professor Faculty Fellows Announced

Three professors have been named Meredith Professor Faculty Fellows. Part of the Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professorship Program, the Faculty Fellows program was launched this year. Fellows will work in partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning…

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go Orange! Faculty and Staff at the Syracuse WorkForce Run (Gallery)

The Syracuse WorkForce Run was held at Onondaga Lake Parkway Tuesday, bringing together workers from across Central New York for a night of food, fun, fitness and friendly competition among area employers. This year’s event, which raised funds for Ronald…

Oren Lyons Jr., Roy Simmons Jr. Honored With Alfie Jacques Ambassador Award

Oren Lyons Jr. ’58, H’93 and Roy Simmons Jr. ’59, H’14 formed a lifelong friendship that stems from their days starring for the Syracuse University men’s lacrosse team from 1955-58. Recently, Lyons and Simmons were honored with the Alfie Jacques…

McDonald Assumes New Role as Associate Vice President for Research

Katherine McDonald, professor of public health and senior associate dean for research and administration in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, will join Syracuse University’s Office of Research in a new role as associate vice president…

7 New Representatives Added to the Board of Trustees

Chancellor Kent Syverud has appointed Dean Mark Lodato of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications as academic dean representative to the Board of Trustees. In addition, Andrea Rose Persin, assistant dean of budget, finance and administration in the College…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.