After a student from the University of New Hampshire died of meningitis, another scare has kept children away from several schools in Rhode Island. Officials say as many as 80 people may be at risk of meningitis after coming into contact with the New Hampshire student.

Health experts are trying to determine whether the two cases are connected. It is not uncommon for meningitis to develop as a result of pneumonia.

Three public school children in Rhode Island are most likely have developed meningitis, say officials from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). In fact, a second grader, from Warwick, died from encephalitis – a result of ‘walking pneumonia’. The Public Health Department said the number of ‘walking pneumonia’ cases among children in Rhode Island has been unusually high. 20,000 children have been kept away from school in Warwick, West Warwick and Coventry.

Health investigators will interview school nurses and look out for possible cases in local hospitals.

Danielle Thompson, 21, a student from the University of New Hampshire, died of meningitis (bacterial) last Wednesday. She had been in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire prior to being admitted to hospital. Authorities say 81 people should be administered antibiotics – 29 in New Hampshire and 55 in Maine. Fortunately, none have been reported in with meningitis symptoms.

Rhode Island Department of Health

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today