1 Mo. soldier dead, 1 ill with meningitis

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Meningitis is blamed for the death of one soldier stationed at Missouri's Fort Leonard Wood, and the serious illness of another.

Few details are being released, including names of either soldier. Both were in the same unit at the Army base.

Fort Leonard Wood announced the cases in a news release on Sunday. Calls on Monday seeking additional information were not returned.

The base says both soldiers came down with non-contagious forms of meningitis, and there is no known connection.

The first soldier died after being diagnosed on Feb. 5.

The second case involves a 28-year-old soldier in initial entry training who was diagnosed on Friday. That soldier is hospitalized in stable condition, but the Army base says the illness is very serious.