A basic skills reading teacher for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, died recently at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune from group B streptococcus, a non-contagious bacterial disease that can lead to meningitis.The teacher worked in the district for 35 years, was admitted to the hospital on May 26, and was brain dead on May 29. She was removed from her respirator the next day. Doctors don't know how she got group B strep.
Although there was no danger of cross contamination, parents should monitor their children who show symptoms of a headache, fever, rash nausea.
Group B strep, as it is known, usually infects newborn babies and adults whose immune systems have been compromised by a chronic disease.
Group B strep is bacteria commonly found in the human gastrointestinal and genital tracts and should not be confused with the types of meningitis that can be spread through close contact.
Source: http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070602/NEWS/706020356/1004/NEWS01
