Alci Arias, assistant director of study abroad, said Brooks had been feeling ill for about two weeks and checked into the hospital the day he died. Mark Shanley, dean of student affairs, said Brooks suffered respiratory failure as a result of invasive group A streptococcus. Group A strep is a bacterium that may cause illnesses such as strep throat but may not cause any symptoms at all, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Invasive infections occur when the bacteria reach the blood system, lungs or muscle and fat tissue.
Brooks, a native of St. Louis, was studying international business at the IPAG Management School through the University's study abroad program. It's been a personal dream of Josh's to study abroad for the past seven years. Arias said Brooks continued to correspond with her office even after he withdrew from fall semester classes to earn money for his trip. They should feel like they should travel and explore. Brooks graduated from St. John Mary Vianney High School in Kirkwood in 1995.