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Second Meningitis Death In A Week Hits NYC Area

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Jan 25, 2008 1:16 pm US/Eastern

Second Meningitis Death In A Week Hits NYC Area

CBS News Interactive: Healthwatch

NEW YORK (CBS) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 2: LeAnne Burke was a guidance counselor at a Catholic school in New York City.
St. Francis Preparatory School/CBS
Click to enlarge 2 of 2: Michael Gruber, 17, a senior at Massapequa High School in New York, died of meningitis on Jan. 24. A second victim died today.
CBS

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A Catholic school guidance counselor in New York City has died from bacterial meningitis, CBS station WCBS-TV reported.

The victim, identified as LeeAnne Burke, worked at St. Francis Preparatory High School in the Queens borough.

A flag outside the school was at half-mast on Friday.

"Please Pray for the Repose of the soul of Ms. LeeAnne Burke of the Guidance Department who passed away this morning," a message said on the school's Web site.

According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, close friends and family members of Burke were given antibiotics as a precautionary measure. A department spokesperson said no other cases of illness were found.

On Thursday, a Long Island high school senior also died suddenly from the deadly bacteria.

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infection that affects the brain and spinal cord that can be treated with antibiotics. It is spread by direct close contact with nose or throat fluid of an infected person.

Individuals who have casual contact with a sick person, such as having a conversation, sitting in a classroom, or passing in a hallway are not at risk for the disease.

Symptoms of meningococcal disease include fever, chills, stiff neck, headache, rash, and nausea or vomiting.

According to the health department, New York City has about 30-50 cases of bacterial meningitis each year.

The other victim, Michael Gruber, a senior at Massapaequa High School, was taking midterm exams and joking with friends on Wednesday when he came down with a fever and chills.

He was dead by Thursday afternoon.

After his death, the school district announced it is cleaning the high school and all facilities to prevent spread of the ailment. The school had been closed to classes all week for midterms, so there was less contact than usual with the victim.

Experts said only people with close, intimate contact with the meningitis victims need to worry. Activities like sharing food and drink are cause for concern.

Several dozen people who were close with Gruber are receiving antibiotics.