Bacterial meningitis could be the cause of death for one page county girl. So what could this mean for the community?

Dr. Doug Larsen of the Central Shenandoah Health District said don't panic. This is the time of year people get bacterial meningitis. The bacteria that causes meningitis is in the noses and throats of up to ten percent of people. Intimate, prolonged contact with these carriers causes the illness. People won't get the bacteria from the person who has the illness, but from the person who's carrying the bacteria. That's who the doctors treat.

"There's no need for public to panic what we try to do in situations like this is eliminate the carrier that has this infection in their throat most people who have this and carry this are not sick and so again this is a precaution," said Larsen.

Now, bacterial meningitis is more serious than viral meningitis. Viral can be treated at home and recovery time is within two weeks. Bacterial is treated in a hospital and can be life-threatening. Health officials remind to get meningitis shots as a prevenative measure.