Officials Link California Bay Area Woman's Death With Meningitis

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Health officials announced that a preliminary investigation into the death of 53-year-old Laura Robson suggests that her death was likely caused by meningitis. The officials reported that the California Bay Area woman's death was likely caused by bacterial meningitis, making it the second death linked to the illness in one week. Laura's brother, David Robson, explained that his sister had only complained of a headache and a slight fever before passing away.

Meningitis is described as an acute inflammation of the protective membranes which covers the brain and spinal cord, also known collectively as the Meninges. It is accompanied by symptoms such as fever, neck stiffness and headache.

Infected person may also have symptoms that include altered consciousness or confusion, vomiting, and loud noises or light intolerance. It sometimes include rashes which may be an indication of a particular cause of meningitis, for instance, meningitis accompanied by a characteristic rash may be caused by meningococcal bacteria.

The inflammation may be caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, or other micro organisms, and rarely by certain drugs. It is a life-threatening condition because of the inflammation's proximity to the spinal cord and brain, thus, the condition is classified as a medical emergency.

Meningitis is transmitted through respiratory droplets, sneezing, and coughing. The infection is rare and risk of contracting it is relatively low. The infection is sometimes less severe and can be treated with antibiotics.

According to reports, Laura was already dead when she was found in the back of a San Francisco Muni bus in Daly City. Although a complete autopsy report is yet to be released by the San Mateo County Coroner's Office, a preliminary report revealed that meningitis was the likely cause of her death.

A 48-year-old resident of San Rafael, Seven Phillips, died Jan. 7, of bacterial meningitis. More than 200 people who attended same fitness studio - SoulCycle, where Philips frequently attends as were alerted by the spin studio as a precaution, but so far, nobody has reported symptoms. He contracted the infection between the period of Dec. 31, and Jan. 7, but he did not contract it from SoulCycle, according to New York Post.

The victim's brother told NBC Bay Area that Laura had not attended popular fitness studio that Phillips had visited. "She did have a severe headache and a slight fever. She said that her feet were cold but she didn't complain about neck pain. She was taking painkillers because she'd had surgery recently on her shoulder," David said. Soulcycle said in a statement that, although Phillips did not contract the infection at their studio, they have been in contact with the Department of Health which assured that other riders show no evidence of health risk.