Chris Dhume became sick Thursday night and died at Jersey Shore University Medical Center early Saturday.
Officials are trying to identify those who were in close contact with the 17-year-old Matawan Regional High School senior.
Monmouth County public health coordinator Michael Meddis told The Asbury Park Press meningitis bacteria are spread from person to person through saliva or other respiratory secretions.
Meddis says no one knows how the student contracted the illness.
School officials sanitized the building over the weekend as a precaution.
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Information from: Asbury Park Press, http://www.app.com
