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African Refugee, 8, Dies Of E. Coli At O'Hare Airport, Officials Say

By Kelly Bauer | October 6, 2016 2:08pm | Updated on October 13, 2016 7:08pm

CHICAGO — An 8-year-old refugee from Africa died in early October at O'Hare Airport, officials said.

David Dieme and his family were refugees emigrating from the Republic of the Congo, according to a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Their paperwork was cleared, and they were being escorted to their flight at O'Hare when an official noted David had become unresponsive, Customs and Border Protection said.

Emergency medical technicians were called in and David was taken to a hospital, Customs and Border Protection said. The 8-year-old was pronounced dead at 6:25 p.m., according to Cook County Medical Examiner's Office records. Autopsy results are pending.

He died from E. coli, a food-borne illness that causes inflammation of the intestines, the Medical Examiner said Thursday. His death was ruled as a natural cause.

No further information was immediately available.

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