Durham, N.C. — The Durham County Health Department and North Carolina Central University Student Health Services are offering antibiotics to close friends of a student who died of unknown causes.

Canon Tyrell Fuller, a senior history major from Lincolnton, collapsed while working at a Durham group home Monday night. The 21-year-old never regained consciousness and died Tuesday morning.

Public health officials said they suspect Fuller had meningitis, but they haven't confirmed the diagnosis.

As a precautionary measure Wednesday, however, they offered preventive treatment to anyone who may have come into close contact with Fuller.

NCCU sent information Tuesday to students about meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

People interested in treatment should contact NCCU Student Health and Counseling Services.

Meningitis strikes as many as 3,000 Americans each year and is responsible for approximately 300 deaths. Between 100 and 125 of  the meningitis cases occur on college campuses, and five to 15 students there die from the disease.