Daniel Bethencourt

Detroit Free Press

►Update: Meningitis victim from Rochester Hills club dies

A former teacher and high school official described the 21-year-old Life Time Fitness employee who contracted bacterial meningitis as an upbeat junior at Central Michigan University who loved working with children.

Beth Campbell, director of alumni relations at Notre Dame Prep in Pontiac, said, "Our community is obviously shocked and saddened by the recent events” involving Kristy Malter, 21.

She also wrote in a post on Facebook: "Please keep the Malter family in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time."

Earlier, Campbell announced that Malter had died, but on Thursday afternoon, George Miller, director of Oakland County Health and Human Services, would confirm only that Malter was on life support.Family could not be reached immediately for comment. So far, officials have said only that the person with meningitis was a Macomb County resident who worked at a Life Time Fitness in Rochester Hills as a day camp counselor.

Oakland County health officials are still scrambling to reach the 213 children and 39 employees who could have had direct contact with Malter when she worked at the camp between July 5 and 11. Of those reached, no one has reported any signs of meningitis, Miller said. Officials have not said whether they suspect that anyone other than Malter has fallen ill.

In high school, Malter was a member of the varsity cheer team for three years; teammates called her “Mama Kristy” because “she’d care for the needs of everyone,” said Campbell, who is also the head cheerleading coach.

In March, Malter tweeted: “My goal in life is to help every person I meet realize how truly special they are.”

A spokeswoman for the Life Time Fitness location could not be reached for comment.

Bacterial meningitis spreads through “direct contact” with saliva or nasal fluid — casual contact or being in the same room is not enough, said Kathleen Forzley,

It can take one to 10 days to show symptoms, which can include the sudden onset of fever, headaches, stiff neck and rash. Anyone whose symptoms develop should see a physician or go to an emergency room.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes on its website that bacterial meningitis is "very serious and can be deadly." The site also says: "Death can occur in as little as a few hours. While most people with meningitis recover, permanent disabilities such as brain damage, hearing loss and learning disabilities can result from the infection."

Parents or staff who have questions can call Oakland County's Nurse on Call from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at 800-848-5533 or noc@oakgov.com. More details about the illness can be found at oakgov.com/health.

Contact Daniel Bethencourt: dbethencourt@freepress.com or on Twitter @_dbethencourt