Meningities - A Back To School Issue New Jersey college students living on campus are now required to get inoculated against bacterial meningitis, but the vaccine may become scarce due to a nationwide shortage. Meningococcal meningitis, caused by contagious bacteria, can spread rapidly through a college dormitory, killing 10-14 percent of those infected and disabling another 11-19 percent. Meningitis is an infection and swelling of the meninges, which encapsulate the brain and spinal cord. Bacterial meningitis is the most fatal form of the disease, especially in small children, as it disseminates quickly throughout the body. Other, less deadly, types are fungal and viral meningitis.