Earlier today, an e-mail was sent to Vanderbilt students regarding a meningitis alert. The full text is as follows:

"A Vanderbilt undergraduate is being treated for meningococcal bacterial meningitis today after being brought to the Vanderbilt emergency room overnight. She is in stable condition in the intensive care unit.

Sung In Kim, an Arts and Science senior, and resident of Carmichael Towers 4, was taken to the hospital early this morning after she experienced a severe headache and high fever. Meningococcal bacterial meningitis is a relatively rare but life-threatening infection that is spread by close contact with an infected person. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines "contact" as intimate contact (such as kissing), or prolonged, close face-to-face contact, as in the case of a roommate or teammate. "Casual" contacts in the classroom setting or as a spectator at an athletic event would not be considered high risk contacts. Sung In Kim did attend several parties on Greek Row this weekend.

The risk of infection in "close contacts" can be greatly reduced by taking one tablet of the antibiotic Cipro. There are alternatives for those "contacts" who are allergic to Cipro. Any students who might have come in close contact with Sung In Kim in the last week are urged to come to the Student Health Center to obtain preventive medication FREE OF CHARGE. Since the meningococcal vaccines do not cover ALL strains of disease, even students who have had the vaccine should receive the preventive medication if they have had close contact with Ms. Kim.

Anyone experiencing fever and headache should be seen in the Student Health Center or the Vanderbilt Emergency Department. If you have questions, please talk with your RA or call the Student Health Center at 322-2427."

In a press release, Dr. William Schaffner, chair of Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Department of Preventive Medicine, said Kim was responding well to treatment and he praised the swift action of those who sought help for her.

"Thanks to the quick response of her friends who had her brought promptly to the ED, she has a good chance of being spared of the potentially devastating consequences of the infection," Schaffner said.

"Since the meningococcal vaccines do not cover all strains of disease, even students who have had the vaccine should receive the preventive medication if they have had close contact with Ms. Kim," said Dr. Louise Hanson, medical director of Student Health Services.

The university also advised anyone experiencing fever and headache to go to the Student Health Center or the Vanderbilt Emergency Department to be examined.