World Meningitis Day

April 25 has been chosen as World Meningitis Day 2009 by the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO).

The group promotes alertness to the signs and symptoms of the disease, the need for vaccines and to make sure support is available to all those affected by meningitis.

Meningitis does not discriminate and can affect anyone, of any age, at any time. Those most at risk are children under the age of 5, 16–19 year olds, and people over 55.

Around 25 people in this country die from bacterial meningitis each year and many more who survive are often left with after-effects including deafness, blindness, limb loss (where septicaemia is involved), learning difficulties, memory issues and behavioural problems.

If you can get involved on today in any way, even by just learning the warning signs, it would be a very good idea.