Schoolboy, 11, dies from meningitis in Florida – as parents are told to watch out for symptoms in children

A schoolboy in Florida has died after developing meningitis, local health officials have confirmed.

The youngster, 11, suffered from an infection before he was diagnosed with the condition — inflammation of the brain or spinal cord.

The boy, who has not been named, attended Oak Hill, near Orlando — with more than 40 parents at the school now warned to watch their children for symptoms.

Officials at Burns Science and Technology Charter School, where he was studying, say the boys death has ‘rocked us to the core’.

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord and can cause people to develop a fever, vomiting, cold hands and feet and a stiff neck (stock image of an illustration of meningitis-causing bacteria)

Meningitis is a rare complication causing about 3,000 cases in the US every year — with 150 to 300 being fatal.

It is caused by a bacterial or viral infection from diseases including measles, polio and mumps.

Measles — the most infectious disease known to man — is currently re-surging in the US because of dropping vaccination rates and a rise in anti-vaxx sentiment.

CDC data released this week showed uptake of the measles vaccine was below the recommended level for the third year in a row.

It was not clear what disease the boy had which led to the meningitis or when the disease was first diagnosed.

Albert Amalfitano, the chairman of the board, said: ‘We feel terrible for the family of this boy.

‘We are taking all necessary precautions to protect our other students.’