Oswego Student's Death May Be Due To Bacterial Meningitis

Oswego, NY (AHN) - The Oswego County and New York State Health Department are investigating the death of a SUNY Oswego student Friday morning, in a likely a case of bacterial meningococcal meningitis. Craig Schiesser, an18-year-old freshman, was taken to the Oswego Hospital emergency room the same morning.

As a result, the school's president, Deborah Stanley sent out an alert to those persons who were in close contact with the infected student within the past 10 days are at risk of infection.

Officials and state health department staffs are working closely with Oswego State staff to make sure those persons who had close contact with the student will be given preventive medication.

The student was a member of a fraternity and attended functions or events at various fraternities and sororities over the past several days.

Health officials said that another two students have been hospitalized in the span of less than a week with the condition.

Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. It is rare, but is usually serious and can be life-threatening if it is not treated right away.

Bacterial meningitis are spread by direct close contact with the discharges from the nose or throat of an infected person, such as being sneezed or coughed on by the infected person, by sharing food items, toothbrush, lipstick, a cigarette or kissing.

Symptoms of meningitis may include fever, severe headache or neckache, chills, mental confusion, stiff neck, vomiting and sensitivity to light.