Stellenbosch University has confirmed that second-year theology student, Chris Scheffers (19), who passed away over the weekend, died of meningococcal meningitis.
The University said the health, safety, and well-being of staff and students remain a top priority, and Campus Health Services has activated its protocols in line with provincial and national health guidelines.
The institution is working closely with the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness to ensure all measures to prevent further spread are followed.
Contact tracing is underway to identify people who were in close contact with Scheffers over the past ten days. Those identified will receive chemoprophylaxis (preventative medication) within 24 hours.
Both students and staff who had close contact will be directly advised by Campus Health Services.
While no other cases have been confirmed, the University will closely monitor the situation in the coming days. Close contacts are advised to only attend lectures if asymptomatic, wear masks, avoid gatherings such as group singing, and refrain from contact sports.
As a precaution, all meetings and gatherings at Dagbreek men’s residence have been postponed until the weekend.
Meningococcal meningitis often begins with flu-like symptoms — including headaches, muscle and joint pain, and sensitivity to light — but can quickly progress to high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, diarrhoea, cold extremities, seizures, and in severe cases, coma. A red or purple rash that does not fade when pressed may also appear.
Rapid deterioration in healthy young individuals is not uncommon, but secondary infections among close contacts are rare.
About Meningococcal Meningitis
This serious bacterial infection, caused by Neisseria meningitidis, affects the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. It is more common during winter and spreads through close, prolonged contact via respiratory droplets. The incubation period ranges from two to ten days.
The University said the health, safety, and well-being of staff and students remain a top priority, and Campus Health Services has activated its protocols in line with provincial and national health guidelines.
The institution is working closely with the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness to ensure all measures to prevent further spread are followed.
Contact tracing is underway to identify people who were in close contact with Scheffers over the past ten days. Those identified will receive chemoprophylaxis (preventative medication) within 24 hours.
Both students and staff who had close contact will be directly advised by Campus Health Services.
While no other cases have been confirmed, the University will closely monitor the situation in the coming days. Close contacts are advised to only attend lectures if asymptomatic, wear masks, avoid gatherings such as group singing, and refrain from contact sports.
As a precaution, all meetings and gatherings at Dagbreek men’s residence have been postponed until the weekend.
Meningococcal meningitis often begins with flu-like symptoms — including headaches, muscle and joint pain, and sensitivity to light — but can quickly progress to high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, diarrhoea, cold extremities, seizures, and in severe cases, coma. A red or purple rash that does not fade when pressed may also appear.
Rapid deterioration in healthy young individuals is not uncommon, but secondary infections among close contacts are rare.
About Meningococcal Meningitis
This serious bacterial infection, caused by Neisseria meningitidis, affects the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. It is more common during winter and spreads through close, prolonged contact via respiratory droplets. The incubation period ranges from two to ten days.
