(Mansfield, MO) -- A two-year-old has died from bacterial meningitis. The Wright County Coroner says Brison Coffman died Saturday. That makes three confirmed cases in the area. Another is a student in Mansfield schools.

Because of that, classes in Mansfield have been canceled for Tuesday.  The superintendent says attendance is just too low.
   
On Monday, many parents their kids out of school because of their concern.  So the district sent a letter home to parents and a fact sheet on the disease.  But the situation still has parents talking.

"I'm scared, but I sent my kids to school anyways," says Carolyn Allen, mother to a Mansfield student.

On Monday, the state health department confirmed two cases of bacterial meningitis. An adult female contracted the disease along with the Mansfield student.  The state says it's also checking on tests for a few other Missourians.

In the meantime, the Mansfield school district will continue its normal cleaning. And both the district and the health department say students are safe in classes.

The letter sent home on Monday asks parents to check their kids for common symptoms. It also says people who were in immediate contact have been identified and quote treated appropriately.

The health department is working to find any other people who may have come in contact with the sick.  Wright County Administrator Tracy Hardcastle says if parents see their kids have symptoms of meningitis, they should talk to their doctor.

"Close contacts have been identified and either are being treated or in the process of being treated and contacts in the school are within the process of being identified," says Hardcastle.

District attendance in Mansfield was at about 70 percent on Monday.  Again that's the reason for classes being canceled on Tuesday.

The health department says this disease can spread through through kissing or sharing utensils.  It can also spread through coughing or sneezing.  However, health professionals say it does not spread as easily as the common cold, you need more direct contact.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, between 1,000 and 2,600 people contract bacterial meningitis every year.  Ten percent of those cases are ultimately fatal.

Those who survive often have long-term disabilities including brain damage, loss of a limb or deafness.

The most common symptoms of meningitis are high fever, headache and a stiff neck.  Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion and sleepiness.