The meningococcus kills and maims!
Neisseria meningitidis is called the meningococcus because it is a major cause of bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis can kill within hours of someone falling sick. Survivors are often left with severe physical and mental disabilities. Fortunately, vaccines are available to prevent infections with the various strains of meningococcus. Here’s a public service announcement from Meningitis Angels. You can find more information about that organization and their National Campaign “The ABC & Y of Meningitis. Middle School Entry and High School Exit ~ Dn’t W8 2 L8 2 Vax-n‑8~” at www.meningitis-angels.org.
A new vaccine has been developed by the World Health Organization and its partners to fight the strain of meningitis that has been a serious problem in the Meningitis Belt of sub-Saharan Africa.
A new vaccine has also been developed to prevent serogroup B meningococcus, which accounts for nearly 30% of all cases of meningococcal disease in the United States.