Third Santa Clara University student tests positive for a meningococcal infection

A third student from Santa Clara University has fallen ill with a meningococcal infection and has been hospitalized in fair condition, according to the Santa Clara Public Health Department.

Two other undergraduate students tested positive earlier this week for infection by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis.

Symptoms for the first two students have been improving, university officials said. The three students were under close medical supervision.

“As a student-centered institution, we place the highest priority on the care and concern for our students,” Dean of Students Jeanne Rosenberger said in a statement. “Our current circumstances remind us of this. Our community extends our thoughts and prayers to them for a speedy recovery.”

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The sudden illness prompted health and university officials to set up a temporary vaccination clinic Thursday and Friday for students. Thursday’s clinic drew a large turnout and about 1,500 vaccinations were administered to students.

In Alameda County, health officials said a Bay Area man, who worked at Argosy University, died of meningitis from a strain of bacteria that was not disclosed. The Health Department notified Argosy, a network of 28 for-profit colleges in the United States, on Jan. 25 of the man’s death, said Sherri Willis, spokeswoman of the Alameda County Public Health Department. One of the 28 universities is in Alameda.

Health officials gave preventive medicine to school staff and students who had contact with the employee.

Health officials said the death appeared to be unrelated to the Santa Clara University cases.

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