Vancouver Boy Dies Of Meningococcemia

An 8-year-old Vancouver boy found dead in his home likely died of meningococcal disease, Clark County health officials said.

Andrew Goldman, a second-grader at Riverview Elementary School, became ill Thursday and died Friday.

Laboratory tests were expected to confirm the boy died of meningococcemia, a form of meningococcal disease that poisons the blood, said Dr. Karen Steingart, Southwest Washington Health District health officer.

Antibiotics have been recommended for Andrew’s family and others who had close contact with him.

Meningococcal disease is caused by a bacterium that lives in the nose and throat of otherwise healthy people. Symptoms are similar to the flu and include high fever, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, severe headache and neck ache.

Seven cases of meningococcal disease have been reported in Clark County this year. Andrew’s was the first death.

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