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May 4, 2001

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Officials Say Bay Area's Fatal Meningitis Cases Are Unrelated"
www.mercurycenter.com (05/03/01) San Jose Mercury News,; Feder,
Barbara; Gonzales, Sandra

Health officials in California announced that there is no
regional epidemic of meningitis in the Bay area, although they
are concerned about the small clusters of meningitis cases that
have hit four high schools in the state in recent months.  The
cases--reported at high schools in Truckee, Santa Rosa,
Livermore, and Folsom--are not related.  So far, three children
have died from the disease.  While they are still investigating
the clusters, health officials note that the number of meningitis
cases reported so far this year is lower than in previous years.
There has been particular debate, even planned legislation,
following the Livermore cases, about mandatory vaccines for
children and teenagers.  However, experts note that the only
available vaccine does not guard against the most common form of
bacterial meningitis, and they do not advise widespread use of
the vaccine.  "This disease is very difficult to transmit," noted
Dr. Ben Werner, chief of the state health department's disease
investigations branch.  "Just being in a room with
people--breathing the same air--is not enough to get you sick."

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