Tragedy at Neshaminy High: Beloved student dies suddenly from meningitis

🚨 Neshaminy High School mourns senior Ryan Duffy following his death

🚨 He contacted a form of meningitis that can spread quickly

🚨The school is undergoing enhanced cleaning and offering counseling support

LANGHORNE, Pa — A student at Neshaminy High School has died from meningitis, according to a letter from the principal.

Neshaminy High School principal Stephen Garstka in a letter to parents and students said the parents of Ryan Duffy gave permission for his name and diagnosis to be released. The senior suddenly became ill and was hospitalized last week, according to Garstka. Ryan passed away on Tuesday after being diagnosed with Streptococcus Pneumoniae Meningitis.

The school is undergoing an "enhanced cleaning" under the guidance of the Bucks County Health Department. A counseling team is also present at the school.

What to know about meningitis symptoms and risks

Meningitis is a type of bacteria that can cause ear infections, sinus infections and  pneumonia, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. It is spread spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions by coughing, kissing or sharing of eating utensils.

The illness can come on very quickly with symptoms of high fever, headache and stiff neck sawing very quickly. one to two days. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion and sleepiness. It is fatal in 9 percent to 12 percent of cases.

Other resources available to parents to help their student cope include:

• Hands Holding Hearts, 445-444-5374 (Newtown)
• Safe Harbor (Abington Memorial Hospital): a program for grieving children, teens, and families
• Center for Grieving Children, Teens, and Families, 215-744-4025(Philadelphia)
• St. Mary’s Medical Center, Langhorne, Spiritual Counseling Department, 215-710-5902
• National Association of School Psychologists: Addressing Grief (nasponline.org)
• Lenape Valley Foundation Mobile Crisis Unit, 877-435-7709
• Good Grief,  Grief-Based on Developmental Stages

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