WSU student hospitalized with bacterial meningitis

A Washington State University student hospitalized with what health officials say is bacterial meningitis is in stable condition, college officials said this morning. The 19-year-old Seattle native is a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. “He’s still on a ventilator,” said WSU spokesman Darin Watkins. “At least he’s stabilized, that’s the first good sign we’ve had.”

The student began to have flu-like symptoms about two weeks ago. He was then treated at Pullman Regional Hospital on Sunday before being taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. He was listed in critical condition, Watkins said.

The case is not related to the deadly outbreak of fungal meningitis tied to injectable painkilling steroids that has been highly publicized. Those cases are tied to a New England pharmacy that compounded the infected steroids.

At WSU, Whitman County health officials and the university are attempting to identify anyone who may have been exposed to the student with bacterial meningitis.

Fraternity members have been offered anti-bacterial medications.