Second Orange County death in less than a week

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - School officials announced that bacterial meningitis killed an 8-year-old boy, the second Orange County youngster to die of the disease within a week.

Parents of the 17 other students in the boy's class at Pio Pico Elementary School were notified beginning Sunday, and school officials suggested that children get medical attention.

Felipe Carrillo died at Children's Hospital of Orange County.

On Wednesday, 13-year-old Ashley Williams died of the contagious disease as she was being taken from one hospital to another. The boy's death was the fourth in the county this year and the 29th reported statewide, although health officials in Sacramento believe there may be more fatalities than reported.

''The families will be alerted immediately because of the gravity of the situation,'' said Principal Judith Magsaysay. ''With a disease like this, time is of the essence.''

Counselors worked Monday with students at Pio Pico. People were being advised of symptoms: high fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting and possibly a rash and stiff neck.

Health officials have also been monitoring people who had close contact with Ashley Williams. However, bacterial meningitis isn't the most contagious of diseases, experts say.

It is rarely spread through coughing or other airborne methods. It usually takes direct contact with infected saliva through kissing, sharing food or cigarettes.