OSU students have meningococcal disease strain B

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — Health officials have confirmed that both Oregon State University students sickened with meningococcal disease are infected with the same strain of the illness.

The Corvallis Gazette-Times reports (http://bit.ly/2flWH1Y ) that testing has confirmed that both students are infected with the B strain of meningococcal disease. Previously one student’s strain was unidentified.

No additional cases have been diagnosed in Benton County.

OSU Student Health Services on Friday began offering vaccinations against the B strain to students under 25.

Meningococcal disease primarily affects young people. Most incoming OSU students are required to be inoculated against four of the most common strains of the disease, but the vaccine does not protect against the B strain.

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Information from: Gazette-Times, http://www.gtconnect.com