SBCC student diagnosed with meningitis

A student at Santa Barbara City College that was hospitalized last week has been diagnosed with meningitis.

The announcement came from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department Thursday afternoon.

The student was living in Isla Vista when they were taken to the hospital after displaying signs of the infection. The student was later diagnosed meningococcal meningitis, Type B.

This is the second university student in central California to be diagnosed with meningococcal infection in the less than a month.

A student at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo was diagnosed on Jan. 20.

Meningitis type B is a serious health issue that can cause death. It is spread through close contact that involves the exchange of saliva, such as kissing, sharing cups, cigarettes or eating utensils.

The Public Health Department has contacted roommates and close contacts of the SBCC student who was hospitalized. Those individuals have been treated with antibiotics as a preventative measure.