? The Bedford-Stuyvesant community is fearful after a woman died from meningitis and two others were hospitalized.

Geraldine Safford, 46, died from meningitis Tuesday, two days after going to a community barbecue attended by hundreds. Health officials also say an adult and child are being treated for the disease. Doctors released a third person after finding no signs of infection. The health department is handing out flyers to educate the public. At-risk residents are urged to get screened at local hospitals, like Woodhull where doctors are administering a preventative course of medication.

While meningitis is contagious, doctors say it takes prolonged and close contact with saliva, coughing or sneezing. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck and a rash. About 40 cases of bacterial meningitis are reported in New York City annually, of which one in six is fatal.

Health officials are investigating whether a meningitis diagnosis of a Boys and Girls High School student in March is related to the current incident.

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