VIENNA (Reuters Health) - The death of a 3-year-old boy from meningitis has prompted the Austrian Green Cross to start a campaign to inform parents about the symptoms of the disease, which can kill within hours.

One hundred people develop meningitis in Austria each year and fifty of these are children and babies. Bacterial meningitis is a potentially fatal condition that can be treated with antibiotics, but the infection can damage the brain and have long-term complications such as hearing loss and speech problems.

The risk of meningitis is especially high during the winter, which was why the campaign was especially important to start now, said Professor Ernst Huber from the University of Salzburg, who is heading the campaign.

Huber said that the risk of developing meningitis was higher at this time of year because meningococcal bacteria can be transmitted in the same way as coughs and colds.

"Meningitis can cause the death of a child within hours. That is why it is so important to know the symptoms and act quickly," he added.

He stressed that the new conjugate vaccines, which also give long-term protection to all age groups targeted for vaccination, can be given to children under two years.

However, Huber warned that there was still no vaccine for group B meningococcal disease, making it important that people know as much about it as possible.

"Being able to recognize the symptoms is vital in these cases," he said. "That is the only way to make sure that patients get the right treatment on time."

The first symptoms of meningitis are similar to those of a cold or the flu. As many as 70% of sick children get red spots like pin-pricks on their skin, which do not disappear when pressure is put on them, unlike spots in the case of measles or scarlet fever.

"At any sign of these symptoms, the patient should be taken to a hospital or pediatrician immediately, because the outcome depends on a rapid diagnosis," he said.

As well as reminding doctors and medical personnel in Austria of the risks directly through e-mails and leaflets, the Initiative Meningokokken campaign will include a web site and an information platform where experts can share the latest news and developments.