Meningitis Outbreak at UL Lafayette Theta Xi member dies
 

At the University of Louisiana, there has been a meningitis outbreak. 4 students have confirmed cases of bacterial meningitis, and 2 of those have died. The university has decided to keep these names a secret to "protect the privacy of the victims." How are others supposed to know if they need to be worried if they don't know who has had contact with the students affected? Thoughts?


http://www.acadiananow.com/apps/pbcs...73235533325325

working at a university, there are huge amounts of privacy rules/guidelines we have to follow. if we don't, we can get fined. not something i want to deal with.

i agree it seems reasonable that the names should have been released. with the current laws, universities should tell parents/next of kin about the law and tell them it is up to them to decide whether to release the name or not.

There was a meningities outbreak here a few years ago, but it was before the change in law. We contacted all her professors and classmates about it and tried to contact her friends (although that can be much more difficult). She did not live on campus and I'm not sure if they talked to the people she lived around (i don't remember if she lived at home or in an apartment). The media interviewed her family and they gave her name out, then they told everyone to go to the doctor or health center if they began to feel ill.

FYI - Here's a link on Meningitis. Note there are 2 vaccines available now, one that has shorter term 'coverage' and one that lasts longer (in case you want to get it)
http://www.nmaus.org/about_meningitis/index.htm