New Zealand / Taranaki

Taranaki teenager dies of meningococcal disease

15:51 pm on 13 March 2018

A New Plymouth teenager has died of meningococcal disease.

The New Plymouth Boy's High School student died on Saturday, but it was not confirmed he died of the disease until Monday.

Taranaki medical officer of health Greg Simmons said the case did not pose a risk to the community.

The district health board had been working with the school since the student's death, he said.

New Plymouth Boy's High School principal Paul Veric said the case did not present an increased risk to students at the school.

"The Taranaki District Health Board are providing regular advice and support to New Plymouth Boys' High School to ensure that students and staff are safe and have access to information around meningococcal disease," he said.

The school's thoughts and support were with the boy's family and friends, he said.