Macomb County Woman With Bacterial Meningitis Dies

MACOMB COUNTY (WWJ) -- The employee at a Rochester Hills children's day-camp who was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis has died.

The Macomb County Health Department has confirmed that a county resident has died from the bacterial infection, but did not release the person's name.

Kristy Malter, 21, contracted the infection earlier in the week and earlier conflicting reports said that she died on Thursday.

According to an obituary on the Wn Sullivan & Son Funeral Home website, Malter passed away on July 14. Malter was a senior at Central Michigan University and worked at Rochester Hills Lifetime Fitness.

According to Oakland County health officials, Malter had recently worked in close proximity with an estimated 219 children, ages five to 12, as a counselor at a day camp. Others who may be at risk include those who worked with the woman at Lifetime Fitness. (The dates of contact are between July 1 – July 11).

Those who may have been exposed are being contacted and advised to seek treatment.

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid that surrounds a person's spinal cord and the brain. It can be caused by a virus or bacteria — but bacterial meningitis is more dangerous, health officials say.

Bacterial meningitis can be transmitted through saliva secretions — including kissing, sharing a drink or a cigarette or other direct contact.

Parents or staff members who have any questions may contact Oakland County's Nurse on Call from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at 800-848-5533 or noc@oakgov.com. For more information about bacterial meningitis, go to www.oakgov.com/health.