Mystery Illness Kills One, Sickens Others

A woman died Sunday and seven others were hospitalized after falling ill at a convention, a doctor said. Joanne Hemstreet, 45, of Kingston, Mass., was critically ill when she arrived Saturday evening at Kennedy Memorial Hospitals-Cherry Hill, said Dr. David Condoluci, the hospital's chief of infectious diseases.

Hemstreet died at 3:14 a.m. She showed signs of bacterial pneumonia and a rash associated with the types of bacteria that cause pneumonia and meningitis, Condoluci said.

"Because it could – and I emphasize 'could' – be the form of meningococcal disease, we've offered preventative antibiotics with those who had close contact," Condoluci said.

Hemstreet complained of headache, fever, chills and vomiting about noon Saturday, and her condition worsened throughout the day, he said. She was among hundreds of people at the Cherry Hill Hilton attending a convention held by Mount Laurel-based Cendant Mortgage, a division of Cendant Corp. Seven convention-goers were admitted to Kennedy Memorial Hospitals for treatment and observation, but none were critically ill, Condoluci said.

Thirty others were assessed in the hospital's emergency room. None were admitted, but six who had close contact with Hemstreet were given antibiotics.

"Otherwise, being in the same room or being in the hotel, it's not necessary for those people to be given antibiotics," Condoluci said.

The Camden County Health Department was talking to other convention-goers at the hotel Sunday morning, Condoluci said. Health officials and other local authorities remained at the Hilton just before noon.

If anyone who stayed at the Hilton Hotel is concerned, you should call the Camden County Department of Health at (856) 374-6000.

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Author: 6-ABC-AP