Separate Investigations Underway After 2 Newark Public School Students Die
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Two separate investigations are underway in Newark after two public school students died last week.
The New Jersey Department of Health says it is working with the Newark Department of Health to investigate a suspected case of bacterial meningitis in a 6-year-old child who died Thursday.
District spokeswoman Brittany Parmley said the first grader at the Oliver Street School died after missing roughly 10 days of school.
"We had a student who was experiencing flu-like symptoms and unfortunately, passed last week," she told CBS2's Diane Macedo. "We are working with the Newark Department of Health to determine what the potential cause was and what we might need to do to mitigate any further risks but the actions that we have taken is to make sure that the classroom is clean."
Separate Investigations Underway After 2 Newark Public School Students Die
The state health department said close contacts of the child have been identified and offered antibiotics and said the child was not in school while potentially infectious.
LINK: More Information About Bacterial Meningitis
"Since there were no school contacts or contamination of the school, there are no recommendations for public health action at this time," the state health department said in a statement.
The district said the student's classroom has been thoroughly cleaned as a precaution, but officials are encouraging parents whose children experience any flu-like symptoms to contact their healthcare provider immediately.
The school district said parents were notified about the death through both phone calls and letters.
Many parents were concerned about what happened.
"They say they cleaned everything, but I'm a mother and I'm afraid for my daughters, for other children," parent Patricia Daros said.
"We never know what can happen to the other kids if it's a virus," said parent Iola Mendonta.
"I think I would like to know, to see the school principal get the parents all together and talk with the parents, not send a letter," one mother told 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck.
"Everyone is terrified," said Zee Oliveira, president of Oliver Street school PTO. "The child was so young. I know that a few parents already took their kids to the hospital just because of a little cold or cough or nausea."
In a separate case, Newark police are investigating the death of the seventh grader who attended Luis Munoz Marin Middle School. Parmley said the student died Wednesday, but disclosed few details citing the ongoing investigation.
Councilman Anibal Ramos said the student was a very valued and loved member of the student body.
"This young lady grew up in a very difficult household," Ramos said. "She had been identified by the school as a child who needed special services. There are definitely a lot of questions and the authorities are investigating."
The identities of the students have not yet been released. The district said grief counselors will be on hand at both schools all week.
