SAN DIEGO -- A 15-year-old Canyon Crest Academy student died of meningitis over the weekend, officials said Monday.

The school's principal sent a letter Monday to parents and students to inform them of Adria Horning's death Sunday. The freshman had not attended classes at the Carmel Valley school since last Tuesday.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Adria's family and friends," principal David Jaffe's letter states. "We will do everything we can to support our students through this difficult time."

Jaffe said counseling will be available to Canyon Crest Academy students throughout the week.

According to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, the risk of infection is "extraordinarily low," but parents were being encouraged to get their children vaccinated for the bacterial disease.

Those who were in close contact with the teen have been notified and advised to seek preventive antibiotic treatment, officials said.

Parents were also asked to be on the alert for symptoms, which include fever, headache, stiff neck and/or a rash that does not blanch, or lose its color, on pressure, according to the HHSA.

Close contact is defined as living in the same household or sharing oral secretions, such as by kissing or sharing food, drinks, cigarettes, lipstick or other similar items, according to health officials.

To reduce the spread of meningitis and other communicable diseases, health officials recommend that students avoid intimate contact and not share food or drinks, lipstick or balms.