Laverne teen dies of rare disease

(Laverne-AP) -- The small, northwestern Oklahoma town of Lavern is coping with the death of a 16-year-old boy who died from a rare disease. <br><br>Bryce Shaffer died Thursday morning of meningococcal

Saturday, December 2nd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Laverne-AP) -- The small, northwestern Oklahoma town of Lavern is coping with the death of a 16-year-old boy who died from a rare disease.

Bryce Shaffer died Thursday morning of meningococcal disease.

Doctor Mike Crutcher is the state epidemiologist and says the symptoms of the disease are similar to many winter sicknesses.

Crutcher says the infection normally is present in about ten percent of the population. He says it's unclear why some people develop the disease and some don't.

Crutcher says it's likely that only Shaffer's family and close friends are at risk of catching the disease.

Laverne High School Principal DeWayne Mills says Shaffer was a well-liked student who played football and ran track.