Preschooler dies from rare infection

By SHARON SALYER and ERIC STEVICK

Herald Writers

ARLINGTON — A 4-year-old Arlington girl who joined her preschool classmates on a field trip to a fire station Wednesday abruptly died 24 hours later from bacterial infection.

"At this point, there’s no reason to think there are any other cases at the preschool," Dr. Jo Hofmann, director of communicable disease control for the Snohomish Health District, said Friday evening.

Initially, health officials thought the child had been stricken with meningococcal meningitis, and about 50 fellow preschoolers and school staff were given antibiotics Friday by health district employees to prevent its spread.

Test results received late Friday afternoon, however, confirmed that she had contracted a disease in the same bacterial family, streptococcus pneumoniae, sometimes called pneumococcus. It can cause a variety of illnesses, including blood infections, which may have caused the death of the Arlington preschooler.

"I would rather give a bunch of kids (antibiotics) and find out they don’t need it than to not give it and wish I had," Hofmann said.

Symptoms of the two diseases are very similar, the health district official said, including high fever, and in young children, irritability and sometimes a rash, stiff neck or earache.

Hofmann declined to identify the youngster, as did officials of Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington, where she was treated Thursday afternoon.

The girl was a student in the school district’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, a state-funded preschool for families that qualify.

The Arlington program, which is housed in a building near Arlington High School, will close several days early and not reopen until after the new year.

The youngster was in school the day before she died, joining classmates and staff on a field trip to a nearby fire station.

"She was skipping on the way," said Linda Byrnes, the school district superintendent.

At the fire station, she enjoyed sitting in the cab of a fire engine.

The student started feeling bad that afternoon, said Catherine Russell, the school district spokeswoman.

A counselor was available Friday for parents of other children in the class, as was a representative from the Snohomish Health District.

"It has been very hard on the staff," Russell said. "We are making sure we have support for our staff, too."

The preschooler was brought to the Arlington hospital’s emergency room Thursday afternoon by her mother and pronounced dead shortly thereafter, hospital officials said.

It is unusual for children to die from the bacterial infection contracted by the local 4-year-old young girl.

"I think people need to realize this is a very unfortunate situation, but also extremely rare," Hofmann said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Crosby speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood picks top eight candidates to replace former council VP

The City Council will make its final decision Feb. 20 after interview process.

The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Western Washington’s current winter drought may not last through the season

Even with last week’s snow flurries, there’s no denying this… Continue reading

A view of a homes in Edmonds, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month

First half payments are due on April 30.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Ticket and ORCA card kiosks at the Lynnwood Light Rail station on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Beginning March 1, Community Transit to reduce some fares

Riders eligible for reduced fares will pay $1 for a single ORCA card tap and $36 for a monthly pass.

The amphitheater at Deception Pass during the 2021 concert series. (Photo provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation Facebook page.)
Deception Pass Foundation seeks Adopt-A-Trail volunteers

If you’re looking for a way to get outside and… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.