Rockland County is on alert after a meningitis death.

According to the Rockland County Health Department, the person who became ill came to the U.S. to visit relatives for the holidays. That person was brought to Nyack Hospital's emergency room and succumbed to the infection on Monday.

The Health Department has identified those who had direct contact with the patient, and they have been put on a course of post-exposure antibiotics. The hospital is also taking precautions with all hospital employees who may have had contact with the patient.

While the patient with bacterial meningitis has died, both Dr. Sachin Shah, Nyack Hospital's emergency director, and the Health Department say there is no threat to the general public.

Federal privacy laws prevent the hospital and Health Department from revealing the patient's identity.

Bacterial meningitis is contagious and potentially deadly, although it can be treated with antibiotics.