TITLE: Recognizing April 24, 2011, as Texas Meningitis Awareness Day at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing April 24, 2011, as Texas Meningitis Awareness Day at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins citizens across our country who are observing World Meningitis Day by recognizing April 24, 2011, as Texas Meningitis Awareness Day; and WHEREAS, The two types of meningitis are bacterial meningitis and viral meningitis; bacterial meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly disease that can progress very quickly; a person may die in a period of only eight to 24 hours after contracting infection; and WHEREAS, Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord; the disease strikes 2,000 to 3,000 Americans each year, and 10 to 12 percent of those infected die; and WHEREAS, The rate of the invasive disease among persons 17 to 20 years of age is twice that of the rate of the general United States population, which leads to five to 15 deaths among college students every year; among those who survive meningococcal disease, 20 percent live with severe health problems; and WHEREAS, Adolescent vaccination would reduce direct costs of the disease by $18 million and decrease productivity losses by $50 million; vaccination would save lives and prevent the health problems and disabilities caused by the bacterium, such as brain damage, kidney failure, and epilepsy; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby urge all Texans to observe April 24, 2011, as Texas Meningitis Awareness Day and encourage public enlightenment regarding vaccination that would reduce the occurrence of this deadly disease; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in recognition of Texas Meningitis Awareness Day. Lucio Davis Birdwell Hegar Seliger Carona Hinojosa Shapiro Deuell Huffman Uresti Duncan Jackson Van de Putte Ellis Nelson Watson Eltife Nichols Wentworth Estes Ogden West Fraser Patrick Whitmire Gallegos Rodriguez Williams Harris Zaffirini Dewhurst, President of the Senate President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 20, 2011.