IUP Alpha Sigma Tau Sister Dies of Meningitis

Coroner: IUP Student Died From Meningitis

Not many things strike fear in the heart of students and campus administrators like the word "Meningitis".

The disease, which is characterized by the inflammation of the tissues that line the brain and spine, has claimed another life at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Sara Khirkhah was only 20 year old, and originally from Clymer, Pa. She passed away at Indiana Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, March 21. She had only shown symptoms of infected for 18 hours.

She was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority.

Medical Director of the Pechan Health Center at IUP, Dr. Zane Kirk said in a statement "The only people at risk -- and that risk is minimal -- are those who had close personal contact with the student, and they are being contacted and are receiving care".