A seventh-grader-to-be at Zeeland’s Creekside Middle School has been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and has been admitted to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Mackenzie Mills, 11, was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis Tuesday and transferred from Holland Hospital to DeVos, where she had surgery Tuesday evening to drain fluid from the mastoid bone behind her left ear.
Mackenzie is the daughter of Kevin and Bobbe Jo Mills of Blendon Township. Her mother is a teacher at Zeeland’s Early Childhood Center.
According to Bobbe Jo Mills’ post on Carepages.com, submitted about noon Thursday, “Mackenzie remains stable and resting comfortably. They plan to keep her quiet and resting for the duration of the day to help her heal and regain her strength.”
Mackenzie is a member of the Zeeland age group swim summer program. Due to contact with other children, school officials contacted the Ottawa County Health Department about the diagnosis.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Bacterial is more severe than its viral counterpart.
“Because Mackenzie was involved with age group swimming this summer, we checked with the Ottawa County Health Department Wednesday morning to determine if fellow swimmers and parents should be notified,” Jim Camenga, the district’s communication specialist said in a released statement. “The health department was already aware of the case and confirmed that a public notice was not required.”
