Meningitis confirmed in death of student
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer
State health officials confirmed yesterday that a bacterial infection that causes meningitis caused the sudden death of a 21-year-old University of Hawai'i student last month.
Family members have identified the student as Travis Mitsuda, a junior at UH who also worked for the A-Plus program at Manoa School. State epidemiologist Dr. Paul Effler said there is no evidence that the infection spread beyond Mitsuda.
Travis Mitsuda, a 2001 graduate of Iolani School, complained of a cough and cold in the days before he died.
As a precaution, Effler said, antibiotics were given to 90 people who were in close contact with Mitsuda in the days leading up to his death and that no other illnesses have been reported. Mitsuda had not been to the school in the two weeks before his death so health officials felt comfortable that an infection at the campus was unlikely, Effler said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which ran the tests, defines meningitis as an infection of spinal cord fluid and the fluid that surrounds the brain.
Effler said the identified bacteria — Neisseria meningitidis — is present in the community but that severe infections are relatively rare. Since 1990, he said, Hawai'i has reported an average of eight cases each year, ranging from a low of one case to a high of 14.
Mitsuda, a 2001 graduate of Iolani School, complained of a cough and cold in the days before he died. Effler said friends called for help after he got a high fever, began vomiting and developed a rash. He died March 25.
"It's not incredibly rare," Effler said. "This bacteria is out there all the time and usually not causing anything in the way of a serious infection."
Effler said officials were able to narrow the suspected cause of death based on detailed descriptions of the illness from Mitsuda's friends and from emergency medical personnel who tried to help him at his Kaimuki apartment. Effler also credited the medical examiner's office with helping health officials to focus on the suspected cause so that precautions could be taken to reduce any risk of spread of the disease.
Effler said antibiotics can be used to treat the disease when it's caught early enough.
Effler generally recommends that adults who run a high fever and experience frequent vomiting seek prompt medical attention. Other symptoms to watch for are headache, a feeling of being very tired and neck stiffness.
Health professionals should report any suspected cases of meningococcal infections to the state Department of Health's Disease Infection Branch or to the local District Health Office.
The CDC says large epidemics of meningitis have not occurred in the United States, but some other countries report large periodic epidemics. A vaccine is recommended for people traveling to those areas.
Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.
