In response to employee concerns, Middle Tennessee State University briefly halted its campus bus service Wednesday morning to allow drivers to visit Campus Health Services for consultations in the wake of  this week’s suspected case of bacterial meningitis. 

Ron Malone, MTSU assistant vice president for events and transportation, said seven Raider Xpress buses were halted from about 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. to allow time for driver health screenings.

Campus health officials said none of the drivers exhibited symptoms, and no issues emerged from their health screenings.

The university decided to offer the screenings after learning that an off-duty driver was hospitalized with possible respiratory symptoms. However, regional health officials said Wednesday there was nothing to suggest a public health hazard or a connection to Monday’s suspected meningitis.

Jacob Nunley, 18, a freshman from Dyersburg, Tenn., died early Monday at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The state health department is investigating the cause of Nunley’s death.

Vanderbilt officials said, however, that they are treating Nunley’s death as a possible case of meningitis and instructed anyone who may have had direct, close contact with Nunley from Sept. 2 to Sept. 10 to contact a health professional for evaluation.

“Direct, close contact” means coming in touch with nose or throat discharges, which includes kissing, coughing, sneezing and sharing drinking glasses, eating utensils or cigarettes.

Campus community members are encouraged to call Student Health Services with questions at 615-898-2988.