STELLENBOSCH - Stellenbosch University has launched a contact tracing campaign after the death of a student from meningitis.
The body of 19-year-old Theology student Chris Scheffers was discovered in his residence over the weekend, the institution confirmed in a statement.
The university noted that meningitis is endemic to the Western Cape and tends to circulate more frequently during the winter months.
Most cases occur without a clearly identifiable source of contact, the statement read.
Given the contagious nature of the disease in close-contact environments, the university says it acted swiftly to prevent further infections.
With the track and trace process, the universities Acting Senior Director for Student Affairs Dr Leslie van Rooi says they are focusing on groupings that were closest to Scheffers.
He says this includes those he lived with in his residence, the a cappella group he was part of, his classmates, and his church community.
According to van Rooi the tracing process began on Monday and already some of Scheffers friends have came forward indicating they interacted with him in the past week.
"At least 200 people have been found. We’ve engaged with them, administered medication, and will continue to monitor them,” he said.
Although no further confirmed cases have been reported, the University says it will continue to monitor the situation and contacts very closely over the next few days.
Additionally the university has indicated that it is working in close partnership with the Western Cape Government to ensure all relevant protocols and preventative measures are adhered to.