More OSU Students Being Vaccinated For Meningitis

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- After an Oklahoma State University student contracted meningitis earlier this year, more OSU students are being immunized against the disease.<br/><br/>University officials say 1,832

Wednesday, August 30th 2006, 6:16 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- After an Oklahoma State University student contracted meningitis earlier this year, more OSU students are being immunized against the disease.

University officials say 1,832 students report being immunized against meningitis, more than 800 more than last year.

OSU has about 5,300 new students in university housing.

State law requires the vaccination for new students living on campus unless the students sign a waiver.

Meningitis is the inflammation of the brain and the spinal cord, and is most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Symptoms can include fever, vomiting, intense headaches, and neck stiffness.

OSU student Timber Eaton contracted meningitis in May and almost died.

OSU spokesman Gary Shutt says the number of students immunized will continue to rise as they complete their immunization forms during the semester.

OSU's fall semester began last week.