1 in 6 people who get bacterial meningitis die. Tragically, around half of meningitis deaths are children under 5.
World Meningitis Day: 5th October 2024
Meningitis is a devastating and debilitating infection that can affect anyone, anywhere, at any time. Every year people come together on World Meningitis Day to raise awareness and encourage global action to defeat this disease.
Meningitis: a medical emergency in every language
There are more than 2.5 million cases of meningitis worldwide every year. It kills 1 in 10 people, and tragically, around half of meningitis deaths are children under 5.
1 in 5 survivors will live with life-long disabilities including hearing loss, brain damage, limb loss and epilepsy.
World Meningitis Day: how it all began
World Meningitis Day is the annual moment to unite and help save lives. It was first started by the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations, which became part of the Meningitis Research Foundation in 2021. Every year since 2009, a global community of people affected by meningitis has been coming together to mark World Meningitis Day, expanding its reach and impact.
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Sign up to the Meningitis Research Foundation’s monthly newsletter and find out how we are working to defeat meningitis. Each email is packed with the news on the latest science, meningitis vaccines, and health policy developments. You can also learn more about what is being achieved by the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations - our global network of meningitis groups and advocates.
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