Meningitis cases may be linked to Penn Greeks

University of Pennsylvania officials have put students on alert after a third student was hospitalized yesterday with meningitis, a school spokeswoman said.

"Obviously it's a really serious matter," said Phyllis Holtzman, adding that the common link between the three students is the school's sororities and fraternities.

She said that "more than one" organization may be involved in where the virus originated and stressed that anyone who has attended a Greek event since Feb. 2, or who has had close, prolonged contact with someone who has, should be evaluated.

"The health of our students is one of our most important priorities and we are doing everything we possibly can to safeguard their health," Holtzman said.

Those safeguards included a second advisory on the university Web site and the cancellation of "parties or events where there would be close contact between students or with food or drink," Holtzman said.

Athletic and performing-arts events will be held as scheduled, according to the advisory.

"The university has also decided to set up a special health clinic where students can come and be evaluated, and a doctor can let them know if they should be taking antibiotics," Holtzman added.

The clinic will open today at 9 a.m. at the campus Student Health Services on Market Street near 34th.

Some common early symptoms of meningitis include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, lethargy, vomiting and rash, according to the advisory.

Holtzman said that as of last night, the university and public health officials had provided preventative treatment to more than 100 students.

Two of the students are in stable condition and one remains critical at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, she said. *