Sixteen-year-old Savon Smith was found dead at home on Monday morning by his mother. She told ABC7 Chicago it all started with a headache on Saturday.
"He wasn't really eating, and then he slept most of the day Sunday, still not feeling well. He didn't go to church, He just wasn't feeling well. And I woke him up for school Monday morning, and he wouldn't wake up," said mother Nicole Smith. CPS says that Lindblom will be closed on Wednesday, and officials will conduct a thorough review and cleaning of the school.
CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett issued the following statement on Tuesday:
"We were deeply saddened to learn that a 16-year-old student at Lindblom Math & Science Academy High School passed away yesterday from a non-contagious form of bacterial meningitis. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time. There is no immediate health risk to students or staff, but out of an abundance of caution we decided to close the school tomorrow."
There are also no other known or reported cases of meningitis at Lindblom at this time.
However, CPS is advising parents and students to seek medical attention if their child develops the following symptoms: a sudden onset of fever, headache, and/or stiff neck. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light, and an altered mental status/confusion.
Smith says her son had only a headache and no other symptoms, and was strong, healthy and active in the martial arts and soccer teams.
