The student, identified as Midshipman 4th Class Frederick Henry Eissler, 20, of West Chester, Pa., was rushed to the Baltimore Washington Medical center on Wednesday after suffering the symptoms of meningitis. 

Eissler was later transferred to the University of Maryland Medical Center, where he died at 5 p.m. Monday.

"The Naval Academy is deeply saddened by this tragic loss. Our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences go out to the Eissler family. Our thoughts are with them during this very difficult time," said Naval Academy Superintendent, Vice Adm. Jeffrey L. Fowler, in a statement.

A funeral will be conducted Friday at noon at the Naval Academy Chapel.

As a precaution, 63 midshipmen, staff and first responders who had close contact with Eissler have been proscribed antibiotics as a precaution. 

The Naval Academy innoculates all newly reporting midshipmen for meningities, but the vaccine does not protect against Niesseria meningitis, subtype B, according to a statement. That is the type of meningitis blamed for Eissler's death.

The antibiotics prescribed as a precaution do protect against this strain of bacteria, according to the Naval Academy.

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