3rd-grader dies of bacterial infection

WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) - A third-grader has died after contracting an infection suspected to be bacterial meningitis.

Ethan Giang, 8, lived in the Byron Center area and attended St. John Vianney School, according to Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids spokesman Carl Apple. Ethan died Feb. 14.

On Feb. 15, St. John Vianney Principal Gregg Bruno sent a letter to parents informing them of the death. He stressed health officials do not believe other students are in danger.

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid that surrounds a person's spinal cord and the brain. It can be caused by a virus or bacteria, but bacterial meningitis is more dangerous.

Bacterial meningitis is not as contagious as the common cold or flu, and is rarely transmitted through casual contact.

It is unclear how Ethan became infected.

School officials are working with the Kent County Health Department and taking precautions, Bruno said. Classrooms and other communal areas will be cleaned before students return to school Tuesday.

Parents are urged to contact a doctor if their children experience a fever, headache, neckache or rash.

Visitation is scheduled for Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. John Vianney Church, 4101 Clyde Park Ave. SW in Wyoming. An English prayer vigil will be held at 5:30 p.m. and a Vietnamese prayer vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. John Vianney Church.

Condolences may be left at Ethan's obituary page.

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Bruno's letter to parents in its entirety:

Dear Parents,

As faith-filled Catholics, we continue to offer our prayers and support for the Giang family as well as our Comet School community, as we grieve the sudden loss of 3rd grader Ethan Giang.  

We received news this morning that Ethan’s death was likely caused by a bacterial infection, suspected to be meningitis.  We want to convey fact and dispel fear.  Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person’s spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds a person’s brain.  While bacterial meningitis is serious, the Kent County Health Department does not believe there is a public health risk to the students.  Bacterial meningitis is not as contagious as the common cold or flu and is rarely transmitted through casual contact.

Precautions are being taken by the school, including a thorough cleaning of all classrooms and communal spaces, which is already underway.  This will be completed before your child returns to school on Tuesday.

If your child experiences any of the following symptoms, please contact your physician:

• Fever over 101 degrees.
• Headaches.
• Stiff neck.
• Non-specific rash.

The Kent County Health Department has been in contact with our school and has provided facts and resources, which are attached to this letter.  Staff at the Kent County Health Department are also available to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to call them  at 616-632-7228.

As we get more information, we will share it with you at that time.

Funeral arrangements have been made. All visitations and services will be held at St. John Vianney Church. The first visitation will be Saturday evening from 6:30 to 9:00 pm.  There will also be a visitation on Sunday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.  There will be a prayer vigil in English at 5:30 pm and a vigil in Vietnamese at 7:00 pm on Sunday.  The Funeral will be Monday at 11:00 am.

In Christ’s peace,

Gregg  Bruno, Principal
St. John Vianney School

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Online:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention meningitis information