HOUSTON – A Grade 8 student at Revere Middle School has passed away from meningitis.  Anna Cortez was only 13-years-old.

Her classmates said they didn't know Anna was sick. She was in class a couple of days ago, and school officials said that she had complained of a headache and was sent home on Tuesday.

Anna's parents took her to the hospital on Tuesday night, and she died on Friday morning.

Houston ISD sent a letter home with students and called the parents whose children go to the school.

While it is uncommon for a second case to occur in schools, the City Health Department is looking into the situation and has a list of people who were in close contact with the student.  

Houston ISD also said in their letter that it is not known whether or not Anna's strain of meningitis was the contagious variety.  But while lab tests are being conducted, the health department is treating disease as if it was.

Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Neiserria meningitidis.  It is very common for healthy persons to carry bacteria of this type in the nose and throat without symptoms or illness. In rare instances, disease results from infections of the blood and central nervous system with the bacteria.  The bacteria are spread by close contact with an infected person’s discharges from the nose and throat. 

Preventive medication is generally recommended for people who have had continuous, close contact with an infected individual, such as household members, close friends, and other intimate contacts. 

Symptoms may include fever, headache, lethargy, stiff neck and back, and nausea and vomiting, with or without rash.  Most people who become ill with meningococcal disease develop symptoms within 3 - 4 days of exposure. If your child should experience any of these symptoms, contact your child’s physician immediately.

Counseling will be available on Monday for students through the HISD Psychological Services.

If parents have questions, they should call their family physician, or the Houston Department of Health at (713) 794-9181 or the HISD West Region at 713-662-2142.