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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Girl With Infection Shows Improvement

From Staff And Wire Reports

An 8-year-old Toledo, Wash. girl stricken with meningococcemia is showing signs of improvement, her father said.

Mariah Canter is slowly regaining consciousness, though she still is under the influence of heavy sedation, said Morgan Canter.

“She is getting more movement. She responds to my voice and she opens her eyes. She is showing signs of progress. She is there,” he said. “Her vital signs are definitely improving and they are weaning her off the different drugs they were using on her.”

He was not sure whether his daughter will suffer any permanent damage.

Canter’s condition was upgraded Friday, from critical to serious condition, according to a spokesman at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland.

Canter was stricken with flu-like symptoms last Sunday, her father said. The fast-moving disease caused nausea, irritability and finally an outbreak of red spots.

She was rushed to St. John’s Medical Center in Longview, Wash., early Monday, where she was quickly diagnosed as having a meningococcal infection.