Health officials are investigating an outbreak of bacterial meningitis in Brooklyn that has claimed the life a 46-year-old woman.

In addition to the one victim, three individuals including two children have been hospitalized with bacterial meningitis. Health officials warn that the disease is contagious but is only spread through close personal contact with an infected person. The health department did put out a warning about meningitis in March, but no cases of the illness were discovered until now. Some residents who lived in the same building as the female victim have already sought treatment.

Bacterial meningitis is potentially fatal infection of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Health officials say symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, rash, and a stiff neck.