Bartlesville -
The Washington County Health Department (WCHD) issued a statement Friday on vaccinations against bacterial meningitis.
WCHD says teens and young adults are at higher risk for meningococcal disease.
The MCV4 meningococcal vaccine is a good way to protect teens from getting bacterial meningitis as the shot offers protection against bacteria that cause the four main types of meningococcal disease.
"Although cases of bacterial meningitis, also known as meningococcal disease, are rare, they are very dangerous and can result in brain damage, hearing loss and learning problems," said WCHD Administrator Mary Beth Murray. "This type of bacterial infection may also lead to the loss of an arm, leg or other parts of the body."
According to Murray, about one in ten people with meningococcal disease will die from it even if treated with antibiotics.
In 2007, 23 cases of meningococcal disease were reported in Oklahoma, a 53% increase from the 15 cases reported in 2006.
The most recent surveillance data available on bacterial meningitis prevalence in Oklahoma from the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is from 2007.
In the Tulsa area—the Word of Life Church in Sand Springs canceled their church services Sunday and a summer camp this week over fears of a possible bacterial meningitis case. That child, however, did not have bacterial meningitis.
The bacteria that cause meningococcal disease can spread when individuals have close or lengthy contact with someone's saliva, like kissing or coughing, or by being in direct contact with the respiratory fluids of someone who is
infected, including sharing water bottles, food items, cigarettes, lipstick, lip balm, mouth guards, or anything an infected person touches with his or her nose or mouth.
WCHD recommends that pre-teens should get the first MCV4 shot when they are 11 or 12 years old, before they become teens and their risk is higher.
WCHD also suggests that older teens get an MCV4 booster shot when they are 16 years old, so they stay protected when their risk is at the highest.
For more information about obtaining the MCV4 meningococcal vaccine for teens and pre-teens, parents may call WCHD at 918-335-3005.
