Meningitis death rocks Bay school

Two other pupils identified as having symptoms

The death of a Grade 4 pupil from meningitis at a Nelson Mandela Bay school has sparked fears of an outbreak of the contagious and sometimes fatal illness.

Staff and pupils at Greenville Primary in Bloemendal are still reeling in shock after the sudden death of Hayden Stride, 10, who died of meningococcal meningitis at Mercantile Hospital last Wednesday.

Two other pupils, in grades 2 and 6, have been identified as having the symptoms of meningitis.

Last Tuesday, Hayden was at school and he was his usual cheerful self – but little did his friends and teachers know it would be the last time they would see him.

Now concerned teachers, pupils and parents have called on the Heath Department to start vaccinating pupils in the area.

-Hendrick Mphande