Rare Case of Bacterial Meningitis Claims Cape May County Girl's Life

A 5-year-old girl in Cape May County has died of a rare case of bacterial meningitis just weeks before she was to begin her first day of kindergarten, the Press of Atlantic City reports.

The strain that claimed the life of Lilyana Fernandez has not been active for over 25 years, according to the report. Fernandez was vaccinated against the disease, but not against this particular strain.

She first complained of an earache on Aug. 12, and may have suffered a stroke four days later, according to the report. She underwent emergency brain surgery on Sunday night at CHOP, but never regained consciousness.

Her death has shaken the community and her mother, a nurse in Cape May Court House had been planning on taking her daughter to Disney World when she turned six.

Read more at pressofatlanticcity.com.