The University of Maryland is dealing with more than two dozen cases of viral meningitis.
Dr. David McBride, director of the University Health Center, said 31 cases of viral meningitis have been confirmed or suspected to this point in the student body. Nineteen of those students have been hospitalized for supportive treatment.
McBride said the virus is a strain of enterovirus called ECHO virus, a common cause of viral meningitis outbreaks. In otherwise healthy people, the course of the illness is generally uncomfortable and similar to the flu.
He said those affected typically have symptoms for 3 to 5 days. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for the infection.
McBride emphasized that they are NOT dealing with cases of bacterial meningitis, a much more dangerous form of the infection.
