Softball Player’s Mysterious Death Attributed to Meningitis
Madison Small, 18, died after complaining of a headache last week.
— -- An 18-year-old high school softball player died shortly after complaining of a headache, shocking and devastating her Virginia hometown.
Madison Small, of Ashburn, Virginia, became ill last Monday night and died on Tuesday, WJLA, ABC's Washington, D.C. affiliate, reported.
Soon afterward, students began paying tribute to Small, tweeting the hashtag #WePlayFor24, for Small's softball jersey number. Residents chalked the message on their cars, and student athletes wrote the number 24 on their arms. Signs appeared in the halls, and students painted the dugout.
Several days later, health officials determined Small died of bacterial meningitis, but they say they're not concerned about a wider outbreak.
"There have been no other cases identified so far," Dr. David Goodfriend, who directs the health department of Loudoun County, Virginia, told ABC News. "We are still actively looking for any additional cases, but as we get closer to the 10-day limit, the likelihood that an additional case will arise becomes that much less likely."
Bacterial meningitis has a three- or four-day incubation period, he said, with the longest time between exposure and onset of illness at 10 days. He said the county is now on day seven, and told ABC News bacterial meningitis is often "sporadic" and not part of any kind of outbreak.
Broad Run High School's principal David Spage sent the following note home to parents last week:
"Dear Broad Run Community,
"I am writing to inform you one of our students, Madison Small, became fatally ill this morning. We have been informing students and staff and offering our support to them, as well as her family, and our community. Crisis intervention counselors are in place at the school, and will remain as long as needed. Please let me know if you need anything as we support each other."
