KENT - Kent State University officials are, according to this story, dealing with one confirmed and one suspected case of hepatitis A in students, and are working with public health officials to administer hundreds of immunizations to keep the virus from spreading. The story says that the confirmed case is a male student who works for a branch of the school's food service that provides catering for university functions. Officials at a news conference Saturday were cited as saying they have begun tracking down about 500 people who may have come in contact with food the student helped to prepare, as well as his co-workers and roommates. By Saturday afternoon, Kent's University Health Services had administered 270 shots of immune globulin -- hepatitis A antibodies, which can help to prevent the virus in people who have already been exposed. The first student arrived on campus in mid-August to return to his food service job. The student works at the university's main kitchen in the Student Center, which provides catering for various events. Food is not prepared there for cafeterias, restaurants or the Student Center's food court area known as the Hub. The student last worked on Aug. 24 and became ill two days later. Because he was working in catering, the university was able to determine where all of the food he helped prepare went. Ron Kirksey, a Kent State spokesman, said the food service catered 72 events between Aug. 18 and 24 when the student was working. The departments that sponsored those events have been notified and were told to contact those who attended to advise them to get the shot. Leone said the student is a reliable employee and cautious about his sanitation habits -- always washing his hands and wearing gloves -- but did work with fruits and vegetables that were served uncooked.