Mass. College Student Dies Of Encephalitis
Swelling Of Brain Illness Can Be Caused By Mosquitoes
POSTED: 5:51 am EDT May 11, 2007
UPDATED: 6:50 am EDT May 11, 2007
BOSTON -- A local college student just days away from graduation died Thursday of encephalitis.
Jordana Cassidy, 21, of Medway was a student at Westfield State College.
Encephalitis, a swelling of the brain, is sometimes caused by mosquito-borne illnesses but health officials said it is likely too early in the season for that.
They said Cassidy's fellow students at the college are not in danger of contracting the disease and they will begin testing to try to determine how she became ill with the disease.
They're investigating dozens of other possibilities, including a number of bacteria and viruses.
Cassidy was in good health by all accounts and was listed as an aerobics instructor on the school's Web site for the spring semester.
Every year 200 to 300 people are hospitalized with encephalitis in Massachusetts, officials said.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
Swelling Of Brain Illness Can Be Caused By Mosquitoes
POSTED: 5:51 am EDT May 11, 2007
UPDATED: 6:50 am EDT May 11, 2007
BOSTON -- A local college student just days away from graduation died Thursday of encephalitis.
Jordana Cassidy, 21, of Medway was a student at Westfield State College.
Encephalitis, a swelling of the brain, is sometimes caused by mosquito-borne illnesses but health officials said it is likely too early in the season for that.
They said Cassidy's fellow students at the college are not in danger of contracting the disease and they will begin testing to try to determine how she became ill with the disease.
They're investigating dozens of other possibilities, including a number of bacteria and viruses.
Cassidy was in good health by all accounts and was listed as an aerobics instructor on the school's Web site for the spring semester.
Every year 200 to 300 people are hospitalized with encephalitis in Massachusetts, officials said.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.