RISK GROUPS

"REMEMBER: ANYONE CAN CONTRACT MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE AT ANY TIME ANYWHERE"

The general population is at risk, but the following groups have been identified as being at increased risk for a variety of reasons: infants and young children (for endemic disease), refugees, household contacts of case patients, military recruits, college freshmen (who live in dormitories), microbiologists who work with isolates of N. meningitides, and people exposed to active and passive tobacco smoke.

Meningococcal disease has become a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in young children and young adults.

WHY?

Information gathered by national health authorities suggests that certain social behaviours increase our risk of contracting meningococcal disease.

Young Children 0-5 years

Small children share everything. From ice-blocks, toys, food, drinks to bottles. Just about everything they play with usually ends up at some time in their mouth.

Young Adults 15-25 years

The main relevant factors are exposure to passive and active smoking and the sharing of cigarettes and associated practices, bar patronage and excessive alcohol consumption through shared drinks and intimate life style.

Based on this information the American College Health Association recommended as far back as 1997 that students consider vaccination to reduce their risk from potentially fatal meningococcal disease, and that college health care providers take a proactive role in providing information and access to the meningococcal disease vaccine.

Since this recommendation of the ACHA, it is estimated that as many as 200 American Colleges and Universities have included the ACHA recommendation on their college entrance health forms and are conducting active awareness campaigns to educate parents and college students about this disease.

If an epidemic should occur in Australia it would be seen as one of the most serious public health emergencies.

In Australia Meningococcal disease is still considered rare with between 600 and 700 cases per year. The new Federal Government vaccination programs will hopefully lessen this even further.

In 1996-1997 a total of 213,658 cases with 21,830 deaths were reported in West African countries. Source of reference W.H.O (World Health Organisation).

WHY IS IT IN THE NEWS SO MUCH TODAY?

Because the disease has such a rapid and disastrous effect on its victims, there is a strong desire on the part of concerned parents particularly to know about and be aware of a disease that can take a life within hours of the first symptoms if left untreated or misdiagnosed. Knowledge is the key factor in our defence against meningococcal disease. Just being aware can help to save a life.

REMEMBER

Knowledge and prevention are the best forms of defence. The earlier the symptoms are recognised and treated the more likely it is that a patient will survive without disabilities.

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