1.1A Senate resolution
1.2designating August of each year as "Meningitis Awareness Month."
1.3WHEREAS, meningitis is an infection of the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and the
1.4brain, the most common forms of which are bacterial meningitis and viral meningitis; and
1.5WHEREAS, bacterial meningitis is one of the most deadly and least understood infections
1.6in the United States, is highly contagious, and can be spread through close contact with others;
1.7viral meningitis is the more common type of meningitis and, although rarely life-threatening,
1.8can severely weaken a person; and
1.9WHEREAS, if diagnosed quickly and treated promptly, most people with bacterial
1.10meningitis make a full recovery; however, without proper treatment, bacterial meningitis can
1.11be fatal, sometimes within hours, or lead to permanent handicaps such as deafness, paralysis,
1.12or brain damage; and
1.13WHEREAS, meningitis occurs more frequently among children under five years of age;
1.14however, in recent years, a number of outbreaks have occurred among students at schools and
1.15institutions of higher education; and
1.16WHEREAS, the public should be aware of the symptoms of bacterial meningitis,
1.17particularly in newborns and children but also in adults, which include fever, a stiff neck, an
1.18aching back, and sometimes nausea; since the symptoms of viral meningitis are the same as
1.19bacterial meningitis, it is most important that individuals seek medical attention quickly when
1.20they experience those symptoms; and
2.1WHEREAS, there are effective vaccines against certain strains of meningitis; and health
2.2care providers should be encouraged to inform adolescents and parents, particularly those of
2.3young people, about the option of being vaccinated against meningitis; and
2.4WHEREAS, this Legislature has taken action to promote public awareness of meningitis
2.5and enhance public protection through enactments to: require the commissioner of health and
2.6human services to establish a public awareness campaign to inform the general public about its
2.7clinical significance and public health implications; ensure that vaccinations are provided to new
2.8residential students at four-year institutions of higher education in the state, as well as information
2.9about meningitis and the vaccination requirement to all prospective students; and direct the
2.10commissioner of health and human services to develop an educational fact sheet for distribution
2.11to parents or guardians of students in grades 6 through 12; and
2.12WHEREAS, further action is needed to promote public awareness of this disease, and
2.13thereby foster greater understanding of its symptoms, potential effects, and preventive measures;
2.14NOW, THEREFORE,
2.15BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that:
2.16(1) August of each year is designated as "Meningitis Awareness Month" in the State of
2.17Minnesota in order to enhance public awareness and understanding of meningitis.
2.18(2) The Governor is hereby requested to issue a proclamation calling upon public officials
2.19and the citizens of this state to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.