85R23633 CJM-F
By: Howard H.R. No. 1467
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The observance of Texas Meningitis Awareness Day on
April 18, 2017, provides a fitting opportunity to heighten
awareness of this debilitating illness; and
WHEREAS, There are two types of meningitis: bacterial and
viral; bacterial meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly
disease that can progress very quickly; a person may die in a period
of only 8 to 24 hours after contracting the infection; and
WHEREAS, Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the
membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord; each year since
2012, 10 to 12 percent of individuals infected with the disease have
died; and
WHEREAS, The rate of the invasive disease among adolescents
and young adults is higher than those for most other age groups, and
several outbreaks have occurred on college campuses since 2009;
among those who survive meningococcal disease, 20 percent live with
severe health problems; and
WHEREAS, Adolescent vaccination reduces direct costs of the
disease and decreases productivity losses; moreover, vaccination
saves lives and prevents the health problems and disabilities--such
as amputation, brain damage, kidney failure, and epilepsy--caused
by the bacterium; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize April 18, 2017, as Texas Meningitis
Awareness Day and encourage all Texans to learn more about
vaccination and this deadly disease.