1/20/2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. -The Ingham County Health Department has reported the death of a 25-year-old Michigan State University graduate student on Jan. 20, 2002 at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing.
Matthew E. Knueppel of Jackson was a first-year graduate student in the School of Hospitality Business and lived alone in an off-campus residence in Meridian Township. Knueppel died of meningococcal disease, said Dean Sienko, medical director of the Ingham County Health Department. The strain will be identified within the next few days by public health laboratories.
Sienko said his department is working with the university to identify people who have had recent close contact with Knueppel. He added that there have been no other reported cases in the community. "This is considered an isolated case at this time," Sienko said.
Public health authorities are addressing the immediate concerns about potential transmission to others and any recommended post-exposure treatment for individuals. While not an urgent matter related to this incident, Sienko is encouraging students to review the recommendations on vaccinations from the Centers for Disease Control and American College Health Association. This recommendation advises that students wishing to reduce their long-term risk of meningococcal disease to consider vaccination over the next few weeks in consultation with their health care provider.
"While this is considered an isolated case, we strongly encourage our students to be diligent about good health habits, and to keep informed about and up to date with national immunization recommendations," said Beth Alexander, University Physician.
She urged members of the MSU community to keep informed on meningococcal disease as well as public health guidelines and best health practices by visiting http://olin.msu.edu
People who believe they have had close personal contact with Knueppel should contact the Olin 24- Hour Phone Information Nurse at (517) 353-5557. MSU students who wish to access their own immunization information should do so by visiting http://immunize.msu.edu