Health board action targets meningitis

Freshmen under age 23 who attend a university or college in Nevada and plan to live in campus housing next fall will have to provide proof that they have received the vaccine against bacterial meningitis.

The state Board of Health on Friday approved an amendment to Nevada Administrative Code that requires Nevada college students to show proof they have had the vaccine that prevents Neisseria meningitidis, a bacteria that can lead to meningitis, prior to moving into a campus dormitory.

Meningitis, an infection of fluid in the spinal cord and surrounding the brain, usually is caused by a virus or bacteria. Bacterial meningitis can be deadly or result in brain damage, hearing loss or learning disability, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Viral meningitis is less severe.

College freshmen, especially those living in dorms, are more susceptible to the bacteria because of their tendency to share personal items, health officials said.

"Prevention is far better than having to treat the disease,'' said Dr. Trudy Larson, a University of Nevada School of Medicine pediatric disease specialist, who was among many supporting the amendment Friday. Supporters included the Nevada System of Higher Education.

The recommendation that Nevada college students receive the meningoccocal vaccine was included in a bill during the 2007 legislative session. The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Garn Mabey, R-Las Vegas, was dropped after the state's Health Division agreed to pursue regulations through the Health Board.

The board approved several other amendments Friday relating to immunizations among children and adolescents.

Starting in fall 2008, children entering the seventh grade and who attend a public or private school in Nevada will need a booster of the diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis -- whooping cough -- vaccine, also known as DTaP.

The new requirement, which is in line with the CDC's recommendation, stems from recent cases in Clark, Elko, Washoe and White Pine counties, health officials said. Currently, the state requires that children entering grade school for the first time get the vaccine.

Also, the state now requires children enrolled in child care facilities to be immunized against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, varicella -- chicken pox -- and streptococcus pneumoniae.

Jo Alexander, immunization supervisor for the Southern Nevada Health District, said the amendments won't go into affect until the 2008 school year. "These were just approved today, so now we're in the planning mode,'' she said.

Contact reporter Annette Wells at awells@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0283.