Casino worker dies of meningitis

Wednesday, July 30, 2003 | 11:11 a.m.

ST. CLOUD, Minn. -- A second young Minnesotan has died of meningitis this year.

Mary Miller, 19, of Milaca, died last week. Miller worked at Grand Lake Casino Mille Lacs in central Minnesota, but health officials said there was no risk to the general public.

About two or three casino employees were given an antibiotic after Miller was hospitalized, said Doug Schultz, spokesman for the Minnesota Department of Health. State health officials were notified of Miller's illness July 20, he said. Miller died at St. Cloud Hospital on July 23.

No other casino employees have shown symptoms of the infection, Schultz said. The disease is usually spread only through the exchange of bodily fluids such as by kissing, sharing drinking glasses or smoking materials.

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