A University student has been diagnosed with Meningococcal disease, according to an email from Kenyon Bonner, vice president and chief Student Affairs officer. Bonner said the student is being treated at U.Va. Health and any known close contacts have been notified.
Meningococcal disease is typically not spread through the air, but through sharing body fluids or secretions like saliva. Bonner said to prevent the spread of the disease, students should practice proper hygiene and avoid sharing personal products that could be contaminated with the disease.
Symptoms of Meningococcal disease — which, according to the email, include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion, vomiting and rash — typically appear anywhere from three to 10 days after exposure. Bonner said anyone exhibiting these symptoms should make an appointment with Student Health and Wellness for evaluation.
Meningococcal disease is very uncommon in the United States, with at most a few hundred cases each year. The Virginia Department of Health determined the Commonwealth had a Meningococcal disease outbreak from June 2022 to February 2025, but concluded that the outbreak had ended by the end of February with case counts returning to normal.
In that period, Virginia had 41 cases of the disease, including eight deaths.
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection which can infect the brain and spinal cord in the case of meningitis, or an infection of the bloodstream, damaging blood vessels. The disease has about a 10 to 15 percent mortality rate even with treatment, making it a rare but potentially deadly disease.
The disease is preventable through vaccination, of which nearly 90 percent of American adolescents have received at least one dose of one of the vaccines available. Because it is a bacterial infection, the disease can be treated with antibiotics.
Students with questions about this case or the disease can call (844) 439-5705, the University’s 24-hour hotline for Meningococcal disease questions.
Read More
Student Council Presidential candidates debate their platforms
By Cecilia Mould | 9 hours agoThe debate had about 40 students in attendance and was live streamed for viewers.
“ACE Vision” focuses on amplifying voices, collective action and efficiency
By Sophie Long | YesterdayWithin the ACE Vision’s campaign, Benefield is running for President, Dorathy is running for Vice President for Administration and Lima is running for Vice President of Organizations.
‘A Brighter Tomorrow’ campaigns on equity, unity, empowerment
By Grace Little | YesterdayWithin the Brighter Tomorrow ticket, Dickerson is running for President, Wuraola is running for Vice President for Administration and Mitchell is running for Vice President of Organizations.
