One woman has died and the other is in critical condition after contracting cases of bacterial meningitis that was traced to an anesthesiologist who treated them both shortly after each woman gave birth.  Neither of the babies has any sign of illness.

The mothers’ illnesses, attributed to the Streptococcus salivarius bacteria, began after giving birth at the Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine, Ohio.  Both patients were transferred to Columbus for further treatment at Riverside Methodist Hospital.

While undergoing treatment at Rutan, both women were treated by the same anesthesiologist, whose name has not been made public at this time.  The doctor did not wear a face mask while treating the patients and other hospital personnel say they have no recollection of the doctor sneezing or coughing in the presence of these patients.  Nevertheless, this form of meningitis can be passed successfully to another person during normal breathing and talking situations.