Meningitis Might Have Been Spread At Parties At Michigan State University

Detroit Free Press: Student With Meningitis Exposed Others At These MSU, U-M Frat Events
Anyone who attended two college fraternity events — one Jan. 20 in Ann Arbor and another Jan. 22 in East Lansing — may have been exposed to meningococcal meningitis and should start antibiotic treatment immediately, health officials warned Thursday. A case of the rare and serious bacterial infection, which can cause swelling of the membranes around the spinal cord and brain and may lead to death, was confirmed in a University of Michigan student who attended an event 10:30 p.m.-12 a.m. Jan. 20 at the Delta Kappa Epsilon residence, 800 Oxford Road, Ann Arbor. (Jordan Shamus, 1/27)

AP: Meningitis Case Prompts Antibiotic Distribution In E Lansing
Michigan State University and health officials are distributing antibiotics to people who attended a fraternity party after a person at the party tested positive for bacterial meningitis. The Ingham County Health Department and the university are holding distribution clinics for the antibiotic tablets Friday and Saturday from 1-5 p.m. at the MSU Room on the third floor of the MSU Union Building. (1/28)

In other news from across the U.S. —

AP: Lawmakers Disagree Over Fine For Smoking In Car With Kids
Two West Virginia state senators disagreed Thursday over whether penalizing adults for smoking with children in the car would be a violation of “parental rights.” Senate Bill 139 would make it a misdemeanor to smoke in the car with a child under 16 present. The violation would be punishable by up to a $25 fine. (Willingham, 1/27)

AP: Appeals Court Mulls Arguments On South Carolina Abortion Law 
An appellate court heard arguments Thursday in Planned Parenthood’s legal challenge to South Carolina’s new abortion law, with attorneys for the state arguing the nonprofit doesn’t have standing to bring the case. The nonprofit group, which immediately challenged the law after Republican Gov. Henry McMaster signed it last year, countered that it stood on legal bedrock. (Kinnard, 1/27)

WUSF Public Media: After A Walkout By State Democrats, A Senate Panel Backs Ladapo As Surgeon General 
After a walkout by Democrats who said they weren’t getting answers, a Senate committee Wednesday signed off on the confirmation of controversial state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. Democrats peppered Ladapo with questions about issues such as his views on COVID-19 vaccinations and wearing masks, before Minority Leader Lauren Book, D-Plantation, announced that Democrats on the Health Policy Committee would not vote on the confirmation. “We don’t feel that we are getting any answers met,” Book said. “We know that there is a long agenda today with a lot of bills. So the Florida Senate Democrats in this committee now are going to abstain, walk out and come back when we have more business to attend to.” (Saunders and Urban, 1/27)

Health News Florida: A Bill Extending COVID Protections For Health Providers Is Ready For The House Floor 
With the Senate already passing the measure, the Florida House could be poised to take up a proposal that would extend COVID-19 legal protections for hospitals, nursing homes and other health-care providers. The House Judiciary Committee voted 15-5 on Wednesday to approve its version of the bill (HB 7021), sponsored by Health & Human Services Chairwoman Colleen Burton, R-Lakeland. The measure is now ready to go to the full House. (1/27)

AP: Mott Foundation Gives MSU $25M For Flint-Based Research
The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation donated $25 million to Michigan State University to expand public health in Flint, Michigan, it was announced on Wednesday. The grant will bolster MSU’s public health program in Flint, adding 18 tenure-track faculty members, along with other support, University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. said at a media conference. (Nichols, 1/26)