An autopsy of a Missouri Southern State University student who was found dead Saturday night at his off-campus apartment has revealed that he died of bacterial meningitis, authorities said today.
An initial report Monday night by a forensic pathologist in Springfield indicated that Danny Sickles, 20, a pitcher on Southern’s baseball team, had not died of the infectious disease, according to Jerry Neil, coroner of Jasper County.
Neil said he learned this morning from the pathologist that meningitis was the probable cause of the young man’s death.
In response, the Joplin Health Department informed university officials that Sickles had died from the disease and that those who had recent close contact with him would need to be notified.
Approximately 15 to 20 people, including members of the baseball team, have been contacted about receiving antibiotic treatment, said Dan Pekarek, head of the Health Department.
Pekarek stressed that the possibility of infection in the potential exposure population is small and that close personal contact is required to spread the bacteria from one person to the next. That type of contact would include kissing or the sharing of eating utensils, or some activity in which nasal secretions or saliva is exchanged.
“Just being in a room with someone with the disease would not be considered close personal contact,’’ said Pekarek.
