Hudson Valley 12-Year-Old Dies of Meningitis

Rockland County Health Department officials say a 12-year-old girl has died of bacterial meningitis.

Officials this afternoon identified the victim as a student of St. Gregory Barbarigo School in Garnerville. The death of the girl from Spring Valley from the illness was confirmed through an autopsy conducted Sunday.

St. Gregory's has students from kindergarten to eighth grade. Health officials said that 33 people who had close contact with the student have received medication.

The Health Department's Dr. Anil Vaidian said the girl's symptoms first appeared to be mild, but her condition rapidly deteriorated and led to her death. The girld died Saturday at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern.

The Centers for Disease Control says that in the United States, about 4,100 cases of bacterial meningitis, including 500 deaths, occurred each year between 2003–2007.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Most cases are caused by bacteria or viruses, but some can be due to certain medications or illnesses.

The CDC says bacterial meningitis is usually severe. While most people with meningitis recover, it can cause serious complications, such as brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disabilities.

Some of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis in the United States, according to the CDC, include Haemophilus influenzae - most often caused by type b, Hib - Streptococcus pneumoniae, group B Streptococcus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Neisseria meningitidis.

Meningitis infection may show up in a person by a sudden onset of fever, headache, and stiff neck. It will often have other symptoms, such as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Altered mental status (confusion)

The symptoms of bacterial meningitis can appear quickly or over several days. Typically they develop within 3-7 days after exposure, according to the CDC.

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