BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (IUSTV News) - The Monroe County Community School Corporation student who the county health department suspects may have had meningitis has died.
The 5-year-old kindergarten student at Rogers Elementary School died at IU Health Bloomington Hospital on Friday, according to Monroe County Coroner Joani Stalcup.
Stalcup says an autopsy was performed on Saturday and that bacterial meningitis was ruled out but an official cause of death had not been determined.
"MCCSC has counselors available for any student or staff in need of additional support. We encourage you, as parents, to also feel free to use our resources," Rogers Elementary Principal Lisa Roberts wrote in an email to students.
Guardians of children considered to be close contacts are being notified of potential exposure.
Parents who are notified should get in touch with their doctor as soon as possible, and that prophylactic medication is recommended right away.
A sign posted outside of the school on Saturday says that the scheduled carnival that evening had been canceled.
The Health Department says that the risk of infection is low for casual contact, which is typical in a school environment.
The Monroe County Community School Corporation has not announced if the school will be closed on Monday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that meningitis is a swelling of membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, typically caused by a bacterial or viral infection.
In the state of Indiana, students are not required to be vaccinated for meningitis until sometime between the 6th and 11th grades.
