Leading off today: Queensbury students and teammates are mourning the death of 16-year-old varsity football player John Vasiliou. The junior center died Tuesday at Albany Medical Center Hospital a day after he was taken to be treated for an infection.
The school district's website carried an advisory Wednesday that Vasiliou may have died from bacterial meningitis. As a result, district physician Dr. Dan Larson recommended that members of the varsity, junior varsity and freshman football teams receive a dose of a ciprofloxacin, The Post-Star reported. The synthetic antibiotic is used to treat different types of bacterial infections. Also, the school stepped up cleaning in potentially infected areas.
Warren County Health officials told The Times Union the only way a bacterial meningitis infection can be transmitted is through close contact with an infected person. Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Coach John described Vasiliou as a "quiet kid who was very focused."
Said district Superintendent Douglas Huntley: "Jonathan was very involved in our school and will be missed for many reasons. He was a great kid, someone who was well respected by faculty, staff and students alike."
The status of Queensbury's varsity football opener vs. Shaker on Saturday was not clear as of Wednesday night.
