Health Dept: Minnesota Student’s Death Not A Risk To Public

MANKATO (AP) - The Minnesota Department of Health is investigating what caused the unexpected death of a college student.

State officials are concerned Monday's death of Minnesota State University, Mankato student Adam Ellingson may have been linked to bacterial meningitis.

State Health Department spokesman Doug Schultz told reporters their investigation isn't done yet, and they still haven't ruled out other illnesses. Officials were concerned Ellingson's death on Monday may have been linked to bacterial meningitis. But the state Health Department says there is no risk to the student's close contacts or the public. No other details were released.

There have been no confirmed cases of bacterial meningitis in Blue Earth County, where the 20-year-old Ellingson attended college.

Bacterial meningitis can cause swelling of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Ellingson was a 2015 graduate of Rochester Lourdes High School, where he played baseball and football.