A health board has confirmed a student of St Andrews University has been diagnosed with a disease that can cause meningitis.
NHS Fife’s East Region Health Protection Team has confirmed one case of meningococcal disease in private accommodation at the Scottish university.
The severe, life-threatening bacterial infection can initially resemble flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue and vomiting but can worsen rapidly, and in some cases lead to meningitis.
Close contacts of the student have been identified and offered the medication chemoprophylaxis in line with national guidance.
The risk to other students and to the wider local population is assessed as being “low”.
Consultant in Public Health, Josie Murray, said while the illness can be very serious, it does not spread easily and generally requires close and prolonged contact for transmission to occur.
She said: “The Health Protection Team is working closely with the University of St Andrews to support the affected students and ensure appropriate precautionary measures are in place. The risk to other students and to the wider local population is assessed as being low.
“This year, anyone under the age of 25 who has started university for the first time is being offered vaccination against MenB. The offer is time-limited with first doses available until December 31, 2026 and second doses until March 31, 2027.”
Anyone who is concerned about their symptoms or whose condition deteriorates should seek urgent medical attention.