Mustang News File Photo Symptoms of meningitis can include neck stiffness, fever, rashes, headaches and general confusion.

Benjy Egel

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A Cal Poly student has been diagnosed with viral meningitis, interim director of Health and Counseling Services Dr. David Harris wrote in a campus-wide email Thursday.

Other students and university staff are currently not believed to be at great risk, Harris said. People who have recently come into contact with the infected student have been instructed on what would necessitate medical care.

Viral meningitis is typically less serious than bacterial meningitis, Harris said. Symptoms of both can include neck stiffness, fever, rashes, headaches and general confusion.

Meningitis is often transmitted through the mouth, and can be passed between people by kissing, drinking from the same bottle, sharing eyeglasses or taking turns smoking a cigarette.

UC Santa Barbara has had four people diagnosed with bacterial meningitis since the beginning of the school year. Freshman lacrosse player Aaron Loy had both feet amputated in November.

A UC Riverside staff member was hospitalized with bacterial meningitis this past week, as well.