Kindergartner Dies After Illness Spreads Throughout Detroit School: Officials

DETROIT — A kindergartner died last week from flu-like symptoms amid an illness that sickened more than a dozen students at a Detroit school, according to Detroit Public School officials.

Officials said the mysterious illness sickened 17 children, including the kindergartner who died, at Marcus Garvey Academy on the city's east side.

"At this time, the medical examiner has not determined the cause of death," the district said in a statement. "This week, the school has experienced an unusually high rate of flu symptoms, including student fevers, and vomiting, namely at the early grade levels."

The academy is closed until Monday to allow crews to deep clean the school, and "to allow families to monitor their children's symptoms," the district said.

Health officials advised parents and caregivers with children ages 4 to 7 to monitor their children for symptoms of the flu and to seek medical care as soon as possible. They also advise parents to keep their kids home from school.

"The Detroit Health Department is working closely with DPSCD and MDHHS to monitor and trace all reported illnesses among students at that location," health department officials said. "We do not yet have confirmation on the cause of the illness, and will share that information with Detroiters once that information has been confirmed."