San Rafael meningitis death leads to warning

A 48-year-old man died from bacterial meningitis in Marin County last week, prompting health officers to notify several hundred people who were potentially exposed to the disease — including those who exercised at the same Larkspur cycle fitness studio as the stricken man, officials said Friday.

Marin County’s Department of Health and Human Services sent out an alert that residents were potentially exposed to meningococcal meningitis between Dec. 31 and Jan. 7. No additional cases were reported, officials said.

The patient, identified by the Marin County Coroner’s Office as Sevin Philips, died Jan. 7. Philips, a relationship therapist from San Rafael,

fael, leaves behind a wife and 8-year-old son.

Health officials have gathered a list of around 300 people who might have been exposed to the disease. That roster included members of SoulCycle in Larkspur, said Dr. Matt Willis, public health officer for Marin County. Risk of transmission is rare, with the most potential for exposure for those in immediate contact with Philips.

Members at SoulCycle were considered low risk but were contacted “out of an abundance of caution,” he said.

“The good news is one antibiotic pill is very effective at preventing disease,” Willis said Friday. “This is an isolated incident. Bacterial meningitis is a rare and serious disease.”

Willis said it is hard to determine the source of the infection in a single incident, but bacteria that cause the illness are part of the environment.

SoulCycle issued a statement Friday on the possible exposure.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our riders,” SoulCycle said in a statement. “While the rider did not contract the infection at our studio, we have nonetheless been in constant communication with the department of health, which has emphasized that there is no evidence for any health risk to our riders.”

Meningitis, an inflammation in the brain or spinal cord, can be transmitted through coughing, sneezing and other forms of prolonged close respiratory contact. Symptoms include fever, severe headaches and a stiff neck, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Those who were possibly exposed at the exercise classes have been told to reach out to health providers for preventative treatment. Health officials recommended a single dose of ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, along with a list of alternative medications.

Any suspected meningitis cases should be called in reported to Marin County’s Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Unit at (415) 473-4163. After business hours, call (415) 499-7238.