HURON, Ohio — Preventive antibiotics were distributed to staff and students of an elementary school after one child died of meningitis and a second was believed to have the bacteria, health officials said Friday.

        Hannah Edwards, a 7-year-old first grader at Woodlands Elementary School died of bacterial meningitis Monday night.

        A 9-year-old girl was admitted Thursday to Rainbow Babies and Childrens Hospital in Cleveland with flu-like symptoms that resemble early stages of meningitis. Doctors believe she has meningitis even though test results have not confirmed that, said Erie County Health Commissioner Donald Smith.

        The girl was moved out of intensive care and was in good condition Friday, Mr. Smith said.

        Two other Woodlands students who were hospitalized with flu-like symptoms do not appear to have meningitis, Mr. Smith said.

        All three children are likely to be released after their blood tests are completed today, said hospital spokeswoman Eileen Korey.

        Health officials decided to distribute antibiotics as a precaution. The antibiotics were given to Woodlands students and teachers and their immediate families and anyone else who may have had direct contact with Hannah.

        Firelands Regional Medical Center distributed 500 doses of antibiotics Thursday, said Beverly Schrickel, director of nursing support services at the Sandusky hospital. Only a few dozen people came in Friday for medication.

        Mark Miller, who has a daughter at Woodlands, said Thursday he was pleased with the hospital's response to the disease. “I feel very comfortable here,” he said. “Everything is organized and fast.”

        The antibiotics mostly likely eliminated the risk of other cases, said Ohio Department of Health spokesman Randy Hertzer. “There is every evidence that they have broken the chain of infection,” he said.

        Each year, Ohio has about 150 meningitis cases, both viral and bacterial, according to the health department.

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