The diagnosis was type B meningococcal meningitis. There is no vaccine to prevent type B meningococcal meningitis, but there is a vaccine for pneumococcal. According to doctors, the leading cause of meningitis among children worldwide is pneumococcal bacteria. It's not an airborne bacterium. It spreads mainly through the transmission of bodily fluids.
Kids are at high risk in close contact situations, like school, day care or camp.
Others are left with lifelong neurological problems. But the FDA recently approved a vaccine to protect infants and toddlers from the deadly bacteria. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Information about privacy policy , and terms of use .