Company spokesperson Lynn Seay confirmed to ILN on Thursday that the male worker, whose name is not being released at the request of his family, fell ill while at work at the Bailey operation in Greene County on Monday and went home with flu-like symptoms.

“He sought medical attention Tuesday afternoon and died shortly after,” she said.

“Medical professionals and the Pennsylvania Health Department have determined the cause to be neisseria meningitides.”

Seay added that the extremely rare disease was contracted only via saliva transfer.

The company has alerted all of its personnel and has a doctor onsite at the mine to explain the disease and symptoms to workers.

It is also encouraging all employees to seek medical attention if they desire.

“Consol Energy’s thoughts and prayers go out to the family of our deceased employee during this difficult time,” Seay said, adding that it is working closely with health department officials to determine how the employee contracted the disease.

The US Mine Safety and Health Administration did not release public statement to ILN Thursday afternoon.