Each year, between 1,400 and 2,800 people in the United States get meningococcal disease.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Bilukha OO, Rosenstein N.
Prevention and control of meningococcal disease: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations and Reports. 2005; 54: 1-21.

 

 

 

 

 

¹

Babies under 12 months are most likely to get the disease, followed by teenagers.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Bilukha OO, Rosenstein N.
Prevention and control of meningococcal disease: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations and Reports. 2005; 54: 1-21.

 

 

 

 

 

¹

Between 1 in 10 and 1 in 4 people are carriers of meningococcal bacteria.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Meningitis Research Foundation.
Disease information: Meningococcal.
February 2007. Available at http://www.meningitis.org/disease-info (accessed on 2 June 2008).

 

 

 

 

 

² This means they have the bacteria in their bodies without being ill. They have the

 

 

 

 

 

bacteria
Bacteria are tiny organisms. There are lots of different types. Some are harmful and can cause disease. But some bacteria live in your body without causing any harm.

 

 

 

 

 

bacteria in their throats, but don't usually have any symptoms.

The bacteria can spread through fluid from people's mouths. The bacteria could be spread by kissing or by coughs and sneezes. Most people who carry the bacteria or who are exposed to carriers don't get sick. But a few people do. We're not sure why.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Meningitis Research Foundation.
Disease information: Meningococcal.
February 2007. Available at http://www.meningitis.org/disease-info (accessed on 2 June 2008).

 

 

 

 

 

²

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