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164.2865 Legislative findings and declarations relating to meningococcal meningitis disease.

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Page 1 of 1 164.2865 Legislative findings and declarations relating to meningococcal meningitis disease. The General Assembly hereby finds and declares that: <br>(1) Meningococcal meningitis disease is a potentially fatal infectious and contagious bacterial disease that can be spread by coughing and sharing drinking glasses; (2) Since the disease often presents itself with flu-like symptoms, many victims of the disease die before it is even diagnosed. From 1991 to 1997, the cases of <br>meningococcal meningitis disease in young adults fifteen (15) to twenty-four (24) <br>years of age nearly doubled; (3) Survivors of meningococcal meningitis disease may have severe after-effects of the disease, including an intellectual disability, hearing loss, and loss of limbs; (4) College freshmen residing on campus in dormitories or residence halls have a risk of meningococcal meningitis disease over seven (7) times higher than do college <br>students overall; (5) The meningococcal meningitis disease vaccine has been shown to be eighty-five percent (85%) to ninety percent (90%) effective in producing antibodies against the <br>most common strains of the disease; and (6) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that college freshmen and their parents be educated about meningococcal meningitis disease and <br>that vaccination should be made easily available to freshmen and undergraduate <br>students who want to reduce their risk of disease. Effective: July 15, 2010 <br>History: Amended 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 141, sec. 8, effective July 15, 2010. -- Created 2004 Ky. Acts ch. 146, sec. 1, effective July 13, 2004.