Three students at the University of California Santa Barbara were being treated Thursday for meningococcal disease , a bacterial infection that causes bloodstream infections and meningitis , health officials said . The students -- two males and a female -- became ill between November 11 and November 18 , according to the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department . Two cases are confirmed to be the same strain , said department spokeswoman Susan Klein-Rothschild . The three were in contact `` directly or secondarily , '' she said . All the cases were caused by meningococcal bacteria known as type B , the same strain found in seven cases of meningitis , an infection of the lining of the brain , at Princeton University since March . However , no link has been found between the California cases and those at Princeton , the health department said . `` This is not expected , as cases of meningococcal disease can occur sporadically in college settings since this population has an increased risk , '' the department said in a statement . Generally , college-aged youth , particularly those in their first year who live in residence halls , are at increased risk of meningococcal disease . Kissing , sharing eating utensils or food , and drinks or cigarettes can increase risk . Public health officials and the university are looking into the cases . Some 300 students who have had close contact with the ill students were being given antibiotics , the statement said . Princeton is preparing to provide a vaccine , unlicensed in the United States , which targets meningitis B , pending final approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . `` Santa Barbara County , UCSB , California Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control have already had preliminary discussions about the vaccine , '' the statement said . `` Santa Barbara County and UCSB will be monitoring the situation closely and continuing to explore the possibility of vaccination . '' There are two forms of meningitis : bacterial and viral . The bacterial form is rare in the United States , and the group B bacterial strains are even more rare . Symptoms can include stiff neck , headache , fever , vomiting , rashes , sensitivity to light and confusion . Untreated , the disease can lead to complications such as hearing impairment , brain damage , limb amputations and death .
Meningococcal disease causes bloodstream infections and meningitis . The CDC says the vaccine is safe for pregnant women but not infants. No link has been found between the California cases and those at Princeton .