A five-year-old boy from Rogers Elementary School in Bloomington passed away from an unknown illness on the morning of Sept. 29. The Monroe County Health Department began an investigation and has ruled out bacterial meningitis, but not other life-threatening bacterial infections or viral meningitis. Tests are pending to determine if there is any public health threat.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bacterial meningitis is caused by bacteria and can be deadly, requiring immediate medical attention. Viral meningitis cases are often less serious than bacterial meningitis and usually get better on their own.
The Monroe County Health Department has identified and been in communication with 35 close contacts to the student about potential exposure, according to a statement from Health Department Administrator Lori Kelly on Monday.
[Related: Monroe County Health Department releases August 2023 Food Inspection Report]
The Monroe County Health Department said anyone who is contacted as a close contact is recommended to receive prophylactic antibiotics within 24 hours of a confirmed diagnosis, out of an abundance of caution. All 35 contacts have received postexposure prophylaxis, a medication used for unprotected contact with bacterial infections.
For others with casual contact, such as in school-related activities, the risk of infection is low. Parents are recommended to make sure their child is up to date on all vaccinations, according to the Monroe County Health Department.
No other cases have been identified or investigated, according to Tuesday’s press release. The Monroe County Health Department said they responded out of caution but do not yet know if there is a threat to public health. They are working with the Indiana Department of Health and will update the Monroe County community and school system as more information becomes available.
