The Philadelphia Health Department is investigating a fourth possible case of meningococcal meningitis at the University of Pennsylvania, officials said Monday.
The university would not comment on the investigation, but did release a statement saying the three students who were hospitalized with the disease last week are showing improvement.
Two additional students who are from the same social circle were hospitalized over the weekend with flu-like symptoms. Their conditions are also improving, officials said.
Doctors have been closely monitoring their conditions to ensure they did not in fact contract meningitis.
Penn officials believe the disease has been spread through the university’s Greek system. As a precaution, all on and off-campus parties were shut down this past weekend.
Meningitis is spread through close, prolonged contact like sharing toothbrushes or utensils, kissing, or sexual contact. University officials say it is not uncommon for more than one case to pop up on campuses.
Early symptoms of infection include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, rash, lethargy and sensitivity to bright light.
More than 2,100 students have received preventive antibiotics since the first report of a meningitis outbreak was released.
