Jefferson County officials have confirmed that the death of a high school student was caused by bacterial meningitis.
The student, a senior at Dakota Ridge High School, died on Thursday morning, said Lynn Setzer, a Jefferson County School District spokeswoman.
The school district sent a letter home to parents in the Dakota Ridge community Thursday informing them of the death. The letter included information on meningitis and measures parents can take as precautions.
The student’s name was not released.
Meningitis symptoms can include a high fever, headache, and stiff neck, according to health officials.
Meningitis can be spread through coughing, kissing, and sneezing, but it’s not as contagious as the common cold or the flu, the letter sent home Thursday said.
The bacteria is not spread by casual contact, such as simply breathing the air in close proximity to someone who is infected.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
