U. Texas campus reacts to meningitis alarm

(U-WIRE) AUSTIN, Texas — In response to the death of a University of Texas student Tuesday, University Health Services have offered protective treatment to students who may have been exposed to bacterial meningitis over the weekend.

Joseph Blackstock, an undeclared business junior, died early Tuesday from what preliminary tests have shown to be bacterial meningitis. No other cases have been reported in the area since Tuesday, said Bob Flocke, spokesman for the Austin and Travis County (Texas) Health and Human Services.

As a preventative measure, UHS distributed the antibiotic Cipro to 160 students Tuesday and 56 students Wednesday. Some of these students had classes with Blackstock, while others had contact with him over the weekend.

Many of the students who received the antibiotic Wednesday may have been exposed to the bacteria Sunday, when Blackstock attended three parties during the course of the evening, said Beth Bushey, spokeswoman for UHS. Bushey said the chance of any other student developing meningitis is very slim.

The implementation of UHS’ plan to control meningitis exposure has been aided greatly by the actions of UT students to report symptoms, Bushey said.

Stephanie Peterson, an advertising freshman, agreed students have been very responsible about informing others. Peterson took the antibiotic Wednesday after learning from a friend she had been at the same party as Blackstock.

— Daily Texan

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