A Warsaw teen died this week from what the health department is calling a case of pneumococcal disease.
Cody Shelton, 17, Warsaw, was prounouced dead Wednesday in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. He was an organ donor and was kept on life support until Thursday afternoon.
According to Teresa Miller, Kosciusko County Health Department communicable disease nurse, the disease is caused by the bacterium streptococcus pneumoniae.
The disease can attack different parts of the body including the lungs, blood and brain. When it attacks the brain it causes meningitis. It also can cause ear infections and sinusitis.
Details of how the infection killed Shelton weren't released.
Shelton's death is unrelated to the case of Harrison Fidler. Fidler was a 14-year-old North Webster teen who died from the Neisseria form of meningitidis.
Miller said the county health department was notified of Shelton's illness early on. Through an investigation, KCHD found there is no risk to the community or those who came in contact with the teen.
"It's unfortunate, isolated and tragic," said Miller.
Miller said the state health department also issued a statement concerning this case and said there is no call for treatment for anyone who may have had contact with Shelton.
Funeral arrangements for Shelton are pending at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Home.
