The death of a Levittown man from meningitis Saturday marks the second death of a Long Islander from the virus in two days and the fourth this year.
The 58-year-old, whose name is not being released, was a machine mechanic for Kozy Shack Enterprises in Hicksville. Health officials say the man had been feeling sick for a few days and left work early Friday afternoon. He was found unconscious by a family member early Saturday morning and was taken to Nassau University Medical Center where he later died.
Craig Schiesser, a SUNY Oswego student from Westbury, died on the campus Friday. He had not been home since December. Massapequa High School student Michael Gruber died in January and 8-year-old Ernesto Velasquez died early February.
Health officials say there is no reason to panic. Health Commissioner Dr. Maria Torroella Carney says the county is taking the developments seriously but officials do not know if the number of deaths is statistically significant compared to past years.
CDCMayo ClinicMedlinePlusMeningitis Foundation of America