NAU student stricken with a rare meningitis has died

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - A Northern Arizona University student stricken with a rare type of meningitis has died.

The parents of Lianne Dennstedt announced Tuesday that their 19-year-old daughter died Monday night at a Flagstaff hospital.

The native of Murrieta, California, was starting her sophomore year at NAU as an environmental science major when she became ill with a severe sore throat.

Dennstedt soon was hospitalized with meningitis, double pneumonia and renal failure and fell into a coma.

Funeral plans are pending. Dennstedt's parents have started an online memorial fund for their daughter.

NAU spokeswoman Kim Ott says Dennstedt's condition was not contagious.

CDC information on meningitis
https://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/index.html

Mayo Clinic information on meningitis
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/meningitis/home/ovc-20169520