1. Meningococcal Meningitis Bacteria infection that causes inflammation of the spinal cord and brain. Bacteria infection that causes inflammation of the spinal cord and brain. Can result in death or long-term disabilities. Can result in death or long-term disabilities. Is a vaccine-preventable disease. Is a vaccine-preventable disease.

2. Who is at Risk? Adolescents and young adults Adolescents and young adults CDC Recommendation*: All children should be vaccinated at 11 to 12 years of age. *Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

3. WY History Of Student Deaths From Meningitis August 2001--College Student from Pinedale dies. August 2001--College Student from Pinedale dies. May 2005--19 year old from Wyoming dies at University of South Dakota May 2005--19 year old from Wyoming dies at University of South Dakota March 2008--High School Sophomore dies in Cody. March 2008--High School Sophomore dies in Cody.

4. Why Vaccinate? Adolescents do not usually have routine doctors visits, so vaccination might have to result from an appointment specifically made for this reason. Adolescents do not usually have routine doctors visits, so vaccination might have to result from an appointment specifically made for this reason. Children should be vaccinated against meningitis as they move on to college. Children should be vaccinated against meningitis as they move on to college. Reduce risk of disease for adolescents. Reduce risk of disease for adolescents. Provide health coverage against a vaccine preventable illness that otherwise could be life threatening. Provide health coverage against a vaccine preventable illness that otherwise could be life threatening.

5. Modes of Transmission and Nontransmission

6. How Meningitis is Spread? Spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions. Spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions. Direct contact with another’s secretions, Direct contact with another’s secretions, coughing or kissing. coughing or kissing. Crowded living conditions such as a college dormitory or among individuals in the same household. Crowded living conditions such as a college dormitory or among individuals in the same household.

7. How Meningitis is Not Spread? Casual contact Casual contact Breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. Breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as the common cold, but meningitis can progress rapidly and result in death in hours. Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as the common cold, but meningitis can progress rapidly and result in death in hours.

8. Educational Opportunities for Students and Parents Health education delivered through student’s physical education class or science class. Health education delivered through student’s physical education class or science class. Information provided by the school nurse upon parent request. Information provided by the school nurse upon parent request.