Meningitis outbreak sets off probe at Ohio University

Seven students were sickened by same group of bacteria
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 12:20 AM
By Misti Crane
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Seven cases of bacterial meningitis at Ohio University caused by the same group of bacteria also share the same genetic fingerprint, prompting public-health experts to declare an outbreak and delve deeper into an investigation of the illnesses there.

The investigation by federal, state and local scientists will take at least a couple of weeks and aims to uncover what might have made the students susceptible to the bacteria, which don't cause problems for most people, said Dr. Mary DiOrio, assistant state epidemiologist.