Overview

• The city confirmed the child died in hospital and ordered prophylactic antibiotics for classmates, pedagogical staff, his sport group and household members.
• Authorities are identifying and notifying further possible contacts, with the health office assessing no increased risk for the wider public.
• Parents were told to watch for fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, pinpoint rash or marked deterioration and to inform doctors about any contact with the case.
• Pediatric leaders say the disease can worsen within hours and recommend vaccination against covered serogroups per national guidance.
• Potsdam reports such cases as rare, last recorded in 2018, and a school named by one outlet has not been confirmed by other reports or officials.