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Grand Rapids-Area Boy Dies; Meningitis Blamed

Posted: 4:26 PM Feb 17, 2013
Reporter: Associated Press

WYOMING, Mich. (AP) -- An 8-year-old boy in the Grand Rapids area has died, a likely victim of bacterial meningitis.

Ethan Giang died suddenly Thursday. St. John Vianney School in Wyoming told parents that bacterial meningitis is not considered contagious like a cold or flu. Principal Gregg Bruno says he wants to "convey fact and dispel fear."

Nonetheless the school was scrubbed after Ethan's death. The third-grader's funeral Mass is scheduled for Monday at St. John Vianney Catholic Church.

High fever, a headache and a stiff neck are symptoms of bacterial meningitis.