SAN DIEGO – A University of California Santa Barbara student, from Carlsbad, is recovering after a serious case of meningitis that led to the amputation of both of his feet.

Aaron Loy, 18, was rushed to the hospital in Santa Barbara two weeks ago. He has since been transferred to U.C.S.D. Medical Center, where he is now recovering.

Following complications, doctors were forced to amputate both of Loy’s feet. His family is posting updates on his condition on the CaringBridge website.

Tuesday, family members wrote, “Aaron is improving both physically and mentally. With his intubation tube out, his speech, strength and awareness improve incrementally each day. These ‘baby steps’ are actually ‘HUGE STEPS,’ recognizing the severity of where he was.”

Three other UCSB students are also hospitalized after the November meningitis outbreak.

“There are common threads between the cases, although we know the cases did not have direct contact with each other,” said Charity Thoman, MD, of the Santa Barbara Health Department.

The Health Department is working to minimize further spread of the bacterial disease. Hundreds of students have been given preventative antibiotics, and officials are warning students the disease is spread through close contact.

As Loy recovers in San Diego, hundreds of get-well wishes and words of encouragement are being left for the freshman U.C.S.B. lacrosse player.

Funds have been established to help with growing medical bills. You can make a tax deductible donation via the HelpHopeLive website or send a check to:

Aaron Loy Recovery Fund
(Gift / Non Tax Deductible)
Pacific Premier Bank
781 Garden View Court, Suite 100
Encinitas, CA 92024