Oologah Says Goodbye To Boy Who Died In Meningitis Outbreak

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

OWASSO, OK -- Family and friends came together Monday to say goodbye to an Oologah boy who died in a meningitis outbreak at his school last week.

Andrew Thomas was the first of two Oologah-Talala Lower Elementary School students to die in the outbreak.

The 7-year-old died last Thursday after contracting bacterial meningitis. His family says Andrew went to school Wednesday feeling just fine, but was sent home later in the day because of a fever. He developed a rash and passed away early Thursday morning.

Second grader Shuache Moua, 8, also died. She will be laid to rest Saturday.

3/12/2010  Related Story: Second Oologah Meningitis Fatality Identified 

Officials from the Rogers County Health Department and Oklahoma State Department of Health have confirmed a female teenage student from the Oologah-Talala public school has developed meningococcal disease.

This increases the number of cases state and local public health officials are investigating to seven.

3/15/2010  Related Story: New Case Of Meningitis Confirmed In Oologah School

Andrew Thomas' funeral service was held Monday afternoon at the Owasso Church of Christ. More than 100 people were in attendance.

The family opted to keep the service private, but honored Andrew afterwards with a balloon release. It seemed to offer a brief moment of solace for a family struggling to deal with an unexpected loss.

Andrew was in second grade with a birthday coming up.

3/14/2010  Related Story: Oologah Congregation Prays For Meningitis Victims & Families

For more information on meningococcal disease, visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health Web site and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.