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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The observance of Texas Meningitis Awareness Day on |
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April 18, 2017, provides a fitting opportunity to heighten |
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awareness of this debilitating illness; and |
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WHEREAS, There are two types of meningitis: bacterial and |
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viral; bacterial meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly |
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disease that can progress very quickly; a person may die in a period |
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of only 8 to 24 hours after contracting the infection; and |
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WHEREAS, Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the |
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membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord; each year since |
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2012, 10 to 12 percent of individuals infected with the disease have |
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died; and |
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WHEREAS, The rate of the invasive disease among adolescents |
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and young adults is higher than those for most other age groups, and |
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several outbreaks have occurred on college campuses since 2009; |
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among those who survive meningococcal disease, 20 percent live with |
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severe health problems; and |
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WHEREAS, Adolescent vaccination reduces direct costs of the |
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disease and decreases productivity losses; moreover, vaccination |
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saves lives and prevents the health problems and disabilities--such |
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as amputation, brain damage, kidney failure, and epilepsy--caused |
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by the bacterium; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize April 18, 2017, as Texas Meningitis |
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Awareness Day and encourage all Texans to learn more about |
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vaccination and this deadly disease. |