The following message was emailed today (Friday, Dec. 16) to all students, faculty and staff.
MEMORANDUM
To:听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听The H漫画 University community
From:听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听Rick Ezekiel, Vice-Provost, Student Affairs
听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Dr. Cristin Muecke, Regional Medical Officer of Health 听
Date:听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听Friday, December 16, 2022
Re:听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听Public Health investigating two cases of meningococcal disease at H漫画 University, death of one student
Today Nova Scotia Public Health will share information about its investigation into two cases of听meningococcal disease听in Dal鈥檚 residence community in听Shirreff听Hall. 听
They will also be sharing the very sad news about the sudden death of one of those students. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with their family and friends.听That is all the information we are able to share about the student at this time to respect the family鈥檚 wishes and timelines for communication.
Although Public Health leads the investigation and response into communicable diseases, we wanted to ensure that our H漫画 community also heard from both the university and Public Health together on this very sad event. Public Health and H漫画 University are working closely together to support our community.
Public Health has confirmed that both individuals had the same strain of the meningococcal disease听bacteria called serogroup B.听At this time, there is no known social/activity connection between the two cases other than living in the same residence, Shirreff Hall, although听Public Health also continues to investigate whether there are any further links between these individuals.
Since there are two cases, according to Public Health guidelines, an outbreak is being declared for the Shirreff Hall residence. Only those contacted by Public Health are required to take further action. Public Health will also hold vaccination clinics or help arrange vaccine for those identified as eligible in both cases. Members of our H漫画 community whose primary place of living and working is Shirreff Hall or have been identified as close contacts have already been contacted by Public Health. .
We recognize the anxiety and uncertainty this sort of news creates for our community. This an extremely difficult time for our students living in Shirreff Hall, our community who supports our students, and the family and friends of the students impacted.
Dr. Cristin Muecke, Regional Medical Officer of Health, also assures us that听at听this time听there is no indication of increased risk to the general public or the larger H漫画 University community. This form of bacterial meningitis is not spread through the air or casual contact, such as sitting next to or talking with someone who is sick with the disease.
Meningococcal disease refers to any illness caused by bacteria called听Neisseria meningitidis. The bacteria are spread by direct secretions (saliva or spit) from the nose and mouth. Public health is also suggesting that听the best way to protect yourself and your community are to be take the following precautions:
- Avoid sharing drinks or utensils;听听
- Avoid sharing vapes, smokes, water bottles, and other items;听
- Avoid sharing bodily fluids;听
- Monitor for听,听which may include: fever, headache, change in the level of alertness, stiff neck, a skin rash that spreads rapidly and begins as reddish/purplish spots that do not disappear when pressed, nausea and vomiting.听听
- Seek immediate medical care should you experience new or emerging symptoms. 听
We also recognize that this may be distressing news for many members of our community, in grieving the loss of a friend, and also experiencing concern for their own health and well-being. 听
Students can access support through听H漫画鈥檚 Student Health and Wellness for both quality primary and mental health-care services.听There are 24/7 Wellness Supports available online through听.听We are currently in the exam timeframe and听Academic Advising听can offer support if for students experiencing academic impacts or requiring flexibility. We also continue to offer drop-in support in Shirreff Hall, communicated directly to students living in the residence.听
Faculty and staff supports are available through our Employee and Family Assistance Program, which can be accessed at听, or through the听enhanced mental health benefit from Blue Cross, or by contacting Accessible Employment at听accessible.employment@dal.ca听for additional support or resources.听
The university will continue to assist and support Public Health in any way possible. Please take care of yourselves, take care of each other, and please be sure to reach out to the supports outlined above as we navigate this challenging time together.
Sincerely,
搁颈肠办听贰锄别办颈别濒
Vice-Provost Student Affairs
H漫画 University
Cristin Muecke, MD MSc FRCPC听
Regional Medical Officer of Health
Nova Scotia Health 听
H漫画 University is located in Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi`kmaq. We are all treaty people. 听
We recognize that African Nova Scotians are a distinct people whose histories, legacies and contributions have enriched that part of Mi'kma'ki known as Nova Scotia for over 400 years.