8-Year-Old Girl Contracts Meningococcal Infection

An 8-year-old Toledo, Wash., girl remained unconscious and in critical condition Wednesday night after contracting meningococcemia, doctors said.

Mariah Canter’s condition has not changed since she was hospitalized Monday with Lewis County’s first case of meningococcal infection this year.

Canter was stricken with flulike symptoms Sunday, said Morgan Canter, the girl’s father. The fast-moving disease caused nausea, irritability and finally an outbreak of red spots. Mariah’s temperature spiked and she started to get “really delirious,” her father said.

She was rushed to St. John’s Medical Center in Longview, Wash., early Monday, where she was quickly diagnosed as having a meningococcal infection. She was later transferred to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, where she remained unconscious Wednesday night, a nursing supervisor said.

The disease is spread through contact with respiratory droplets.

“You have to get someone else’s spit or snot on you,” said Dr. Tom Bell, health officer for Cowlitz and Lewis counties. He said officials at Toledo Elementary School have been informed of Mariah’s illness.

The disease killed a Cowlitz County infant and a teenager at the end of 1996.