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TO RECOGNIZE THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS CAUSED BY MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE AND RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ITS SERIOUS IMPACT ON CITIZENS AND COMMUNITIES IN THE PALMETTO STATE.
Whereas, between ten and fourteen percent of cases of meningococcal disease are fatal, and between eleven and nineteen percent of its survivors have permanent hearing loss, brain injury, loss of limbs, or other serious effects; and
Whereas, meningococcal disease is spread by close contact with respiratory or throat secretions, such as saliva; and
Whereas, once contracted, the bacteria can kill an individual within hours; and
Whereas, infants, adolescents, and young adults are at highest risk of contracting meningococcal disease; and
Whereas, about ten percent of people carry the disease in their throats with no side effects, but there is currently no way to identify who will be affected by the disease; and
Whereas, people living in close contact with someone carrying the disease are at risk; and
Whereas, the State of South Carolina has led the way in educating its citizens about meningococcal disease and making parents aware of its impact and need for vaccinations; and
Whereas, because of education about the importance vaccinations, mortality rates have fallen from a high of twelve deaths in a year to one death in 2013. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize the devastating effects caused by meningococcal disease and raise public awareness of its serious impact on citizens and communities in the Palmetto State.
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