Invasive meningococcal disease is rare but potentially devastating.

While the disease mainly affects children below the age of five and adolescents and young adults, it can affect anyone, anywhere in the world.

The disease can lead to severe complications like deafness, loss of limbs or even death.

Early symptoms can be mistaken for the flu, but the disease can progress fast. An infected person can experience high fever, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, nausea, vomiting and rash. Death can occur within 24 to 48 hours after the symptoms appear.

About 1 in 10 people who get a meningococcal disease will die.

Up to 19% suffer from permanent complications, such as the following:

· Brain damage

· Nervous system problems, such as seizures and paralysis

· Deafness

· Limb loss

Be in the know about the disease and how to help protect your child.

Invasive meningococcal disease mainly affects children below the age of five, adolescents and young adults

Bacteria that can cause the disease can be passed through saliva.
 

Early symptoms can be misleading as they are flu-like in nature, such as fever, headache and nausea.

Vaccination can help protect your child, even when you aren’t there. Invasive meningococcal disease can lead to severe complications and even death in less than 24 hours. Approximately 1 in 10 people who develop a meningococcal disease will die from it. About 19% of survivors suffer from serious complications such as brain damage or loss of limbs.

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