THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, January 25, 1996             TAG: 9601250402
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY ADAM BERNSTEIN, CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT 
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                    LENGTH: Medium:   57 lines

U.VA. DEALS WITH 2ND MENINGITIS CASE IN THREE MONTHS ANTIBIOTICS GIVEN TO 120 WHO MAY HAVE COME IN CONTACT WITH FRESHMAN.

University of Virginia officials, bracing against the second case of meningitis in three months, administered antibiotics to 120 students who may have had contact with a student diagnosed with the disease.

Freshman Michael A. Rosenblum, 18, of Charleston, S.C., is in good condition at U.Va. hospital following a visit to the emergency room late Saturday night. He complained of fever, joint aches as well as rashes in his ankles and feet.

Rosenblum returned from winter break about a week ago. Among his activities, Rosenblum, who lives in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house, attended a fraternity mixer with a U.Va. sorority Saturday. The diagnosis prompted several students to be tested.

So far, the 70 U.Va. students screened for traces of the bacteria have tested negative, said James C. Turner, U.Va's health services director.

``If caught early, it does respond to treatment,'' he added. ``This young man has responded well to the treatment, and it looks as if the outcome will be very positive.''

The meningococcemia bacteria can be passed on through oral or nasal secretions, including drinking out of another's cup or kissing, Turner said. When undetected, meningococcemia can spread to the central nervous system, causing full-blown meningitis.

``We think we've reached most of the students who need to come in,'' Turner said.

Rosenblum was diagnosed one day after a VMI student died as a result of meningitis. W. Scott Hickey, 18, of Staunton, Va., died of cardiac arrest at 2 p.m. Friday while being transported by helicopter to U.Va. Hospital. Hickey had been diagnosed with meningitis following a daylong battle with high temperatures, flu-like symptoms and aches, VMI spokesman Mike Strickler said.

Rosenblum's bout was the second time around for the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

In October, a fraternity brother from Pennsylvania contracted meningitis, a potentially fatal blood-stream infection, and slipped into a coma.

Rosenblum received antibiotics after last fall's scare, but the effects of that medication only lasted up to four weeks, Turner said.

SPE fraternity President Andrew J. Mears denies any connection between the two cases.

``It just so happened these two people came down with it,'' Mears said. ``It's strictly a nonfraternity related incident.''

So far, Turner concurs.

``Very preliminary tests indicate (Rosenblum) has a different strain from the fraternity brother from last fall,'' Turner said. ``It appears to be a second, random, sporadic infection. It's just the bad luck of the SPE house that this is the second person in the house to contract it.'' by CNB