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October 5th, World Meningitis Day
World Meningitis Day on Oct 5 is a day to raise awareness of meningitis which can often be deadly. The theme this year is “Join the Fight” and focuses on how we can all work together to fight meningitis. Recognize the symptoms of meningitis and if you think you or someone you know may have […]
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Protecting Children
Alexis Sharpe was almost six months old when she developed a fever which got progressively higher. She had been taken to the ER twice, where Jen, her mother, was assured that Alexis just had a virus. At home, Alexis had a seizure, so she was rushed back to the hospital by ambulance where she was […]
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Loses Leg
Loses Leg Rafael Castellano, 32-year-old professional dancer from Orlando, Florida, lost both of his legs after a three-month bout with meningococcal meningitis. He wrote on his Facebook post that, “It was the hardest decision of my life to have my legs amputated but I know I am going to dance, run and maybe even pick […]
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Deadly Cases
A Sydney man dies of meningococcal disease and Executive Director of Health Protection NSW Dr Jeremy McAnulty said, “Early intervention can be lifesaving. If you suspect meningococcal disease, don’t wait for the rash – see a doctor immediately.” There have been 15 cases of meningococcal diseases reported in New South Wales. People should be vigilant, recognize the […]
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Key Knowledge
Dr. Tina Ardon, a Mayo Clinic family medicine physician explained to students heading off to college that spending time together in close quarters could put them at higher risk for contagious illnesses including bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis can spread by sneezing or kissing and sharing food or drinks. Symptoms can present as fever, a stiff […]
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Toronto Outbreak
Toronto Public Health (TPH) has confirmed three individuals, ages 20-30 years old, of invasive bacterial meningococcal disease in Toronto. One of them has died. TPH confirmed that the three people have the same rare strain of serogroup C meningococcal disease, but TPH has not been able to identify a link between these cases. Keeping up […]
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Vaccination Campaign
A vaccination campaign has just started in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region targeting populations at risk children aged 0 to 2 & young people aged 16 to 24 following the emergence of a variant of meningococcus B which infected a dozen people in a few months and caused one death. The best part of this campaign is […]
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Australian Outbreak
The New South Wales Department of Health in Australia is urging parents and young people to be alert to symptoms of meningococcal disease due to 15 cases of meningococcal meningitis reported. In Australia, meningococcal infections can occur all year round with increases in cases in late winter and early spring, with children under five and […]
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Preventable Loss
Adam Mulchrone, 21 year old student from Westport, Co. attended football training but returned home because he had a headache and started to have a fever. A GP advised he be taken to Mayo University hospital emergency on the basis of possible meningitis. At the hospital, Adam was noted to be experiencing abdominal pain, vomiting […]
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Meningitis Facts
Meningitis refers to swelling in the membranes that surround your brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be viral or bacterial and symptoms of meningitis can include the following: fever, severe headache, vomiting, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion, rash. Meningitis can be diagnosed by testing the blood and spinal fluid of the person who is […]
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