Penn sees three cases of bacterial meningitis

The three students with confirmed cases were listed as being in either fair or good condition Monday afternoon, according to Penn’s Student Health Services (SHS). The two students with suspected cases, who exhibited flu-like symptoms, also continue to improve.

SHS treated roughly 3,000 students with a preventative antibiotic by the end of last weekend.

In a precautionary step, officials at Penn canceled all events and parties in which students could share food or drink or come into close contact over the weekend.

Though no cases of meningitis have been reported at Princeton, John Kolligian, executive director of University Health Services, issued a campus hygiene advisory to University students Monday night.

Bacterial meningitis is contagious and spreads through close contact and the transfer of respiratory and throat secretions, as through kissing and coughing, the advisory said. High fever, headache and stiff neck are all signs of bacterial meningitis. Symptoms can develop in anywhere from hours to days.

Though the strain of bacteria found at Penn is not covered by the meningitis vaccine all college students in New Jersey must receive under state law, it can be treated with common antibiotics, the advisory explained.