Oklahoma girl in critical condition

(Joplin-AP) -- Girl Scout officials closed a camp near Joplin after a camper was hospitalized with what doctors believe is bacterial meningitis. <br><br>The 12-year-old Afton, Oklahoma, girl was in critical

Thursday, July 18th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Joplin-AP) -- Girl Scout officials closed a camp near Joplin after a camper was hospitalized with what doctors believe is bacterial meningitis.

The 12-year-old Afton, Oklahoma, girl was in critical condition Wednesday at a hospital in Santa Cruz County, California.

She and her family were vacationing on the West Coast after she left the southwest Missouri camp last week.

The girl's illness prompted the Ozark Area Girl Scout Council to close the 180-acre Camp Mintahama, south of Joplin.

Officials say there were 80 girls at the camp when the Oklahoma girl was there.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the linings of the brain and spinal cord. It may be caused by viruses or bacteria.

The bacterial form can be life-threatening if not diagnosed early and treated promptly.