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Tampa – Friends and family are mourning after 19-year-old Rachael Futterman died of a suspected case of bacterial meningitis over the weekend.

Futterman was a student at the University of South Florida student

University officials say Futterman became ill last Friday and was taken to the hospital Saturday. She was placed on life supported, but later died.

“Our first reaction to the diagnosis on Saturday was sadness for the student and her family,” said Dr. Jennifer Meningall, vice president of Student Affairs. “We were concerned that members of her sorority were okay, both mentally and physically. At the same time, we had to gather all the information we could, identify students who might have had direct contact with the victim, and go the extra mile to alert everyone on campus. Given the size of the university, very few people would have potentially had direct contact, but we felt everyone needed to know so they could take the precautions they believe necessary.”

According to USF spokesman Ken Gullette, Futterman did not attend any classes last week — where she wDoneould have been most contagious.

“Rachel was our student and part of our family,” said Judy Genshaft, president of USF. “It has been an emotional weekend, and our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends. We’ll do everything we can to provide counseling and support services to those who need them.”

Officials say that all studends who had contact with Futterman have been treated with a powerful antibiotic. Other studends are encourged to take the vaccine as well, said Gullette.Done

Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain and is most commonly caused by one of three types of bacteria: Haemophilus influenzae type b, Neisseria meningitidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria.

Prevention depends on use of vaccines, rapid diagnosis, and prompt treatment of close personal contacts.