Drexel meningitis death confirmed by Pennsylvania health lab

Drexel University is confirming that one of its undergrads died Monday of a strain of meningitis B. It’s from the same group of meningitis strains that struck Princeton University last December.

“Drexel University has received confirmation that the single confirmed case of the meningococcal infection is serogroup B meningococcus,” the university said in a statement Thursday.

The Philadelphia medical examiner said Wednesday the death was from bacterial meningitis. An official with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health told NewsWorks a state public health laboratory has confirmed that finding.

The city’s health department has been working with Drexel to identify those who may have come into contact with Stephanie Moore.

The sophomore mechanical engineering student was found unresponsive in a Powelton Avenue sorority house Monday and later died in the hospital.

Officials say prophylactic antibiotics have already been given to classmates who were in close contact in with Pittsburgh-area native. Drexel and the city health department are continuing to monitor the situation.

Last December, a special vaccine was brought in by Princeton University to fight the meningitis B outbreak there. Since the infection at Drexel remains a single case, antibiotics are the recommended course of action, according to university and public health officials.

“A simple treatment involving a single dose of antibiotics is highly effective in preventing the disease and causes few or no side effects,” Drexel said in an email sent to students, faculty and staff. “If you have questions call the health center at 215.220.4700.”