University of California Santa Barbara has suspended some social and fraternity events to prevent the spread of a strain of meningitis that broke out at the campus and infected four students. One of the students infected lost both feet to the contagious disease.

The fourth case was confirmed by the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department on Monday. Meningitis is a disease that causes the membranes in the brain and spine to swell, and can be fatal. Symptoms of meningitis include fever, aches, rash, nausea and stiffness in the neck.

Those who survive can be permanently paralyzed or mentally impaired. The disease is spread through contact.

Aaron Loy, a freshman lacrosse player at UCSB, lost circulation in his legs and feet because of the disease, and doctors were forced to amputate his lower legs. He is still in the hospital, according to the Associated Press.

Hundreds of students have been given prophylactic antibiotics, and the university is cleaning dorm rooms and athletic facilities thoroughly to ensure that more students do not get infected.

The outbreak marks the second time meningitis has spread at a college this year. Eight people were infected at Princeton University since March with the same strain of meningitis, type B meningococcal disease.

Authorities do not believe that the two outbreaks are related, however, because of the genetic differences in the bacteria at each school, ABC reports.

"Just getting calls fom your parents and relatives asking what's going on, it's a little bit scary," Princeton student Maddy Russell told "Good Morning America" a few weeks ago.

The vaccine for type B meningitis has not yet been approved in the United States, but the Food and Drug and Administration is allowing the vaccine to be imported from places such as Europe and Australia, where the vaccine has been approved.

Students who opt for the vaccine will be able to receive it next week.