CONTACT:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jason Davis
Lane County Health & Human Services Interim Public Information Officer
Phone: (541) 246-2043
Cell: (503) 750-0982
Email: HHSPublicInfoOfficer@co.lane.or.us
Lane County Child Hospitalized With Bacterial Meningitis
Eugene, OR—July 13, 2012 -- On July 10th a child was hospitalized in a Lane County hospital with a
diagnosis of meningococcemia, which is a blood stream infection, caused by the bacteria Neisseria
meningitis. Lane County Public Health has completed a thorough contact investigation in accordance with
national investigation guidelines and all persons at risk have been treated with the appropriate
prophylactic (antibiotics).
All persons 11–18 years of age are recommended to receive meningococcal vaccine, which prevents
disease by four types of meningococci (serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135). It does not protect against
serogroup B, which causes about half the cases in Oregon. Additionally, individuals 2–55 years of age are
advised to receive this vaccine if they have specific risk factors for meningococcal disease.
People can ask their health care provider about getting a meningococcal vaccine, which costs about $100
plus administrative and office fees. The Vaccines for Children program purchases vaccine for children
through age 18 who are uninsured, enrolled in Medicaid/Oregon Health Plan or are American
Indian/Alaskan Native. Uninsured adults can get the vaccine at their local health department for the cost
of the vaccine plus an administration fee. In the event of a CDC-defined (see background, next page)
outbreak, the Oregon Immunization Program will investigate ways to provide meningococcal vaccine to
uninsured adults at no charge.
More information on Meningitis and what you can do to keep you and your family safe can be found on
the Lane County Health & Human Service Meningitis web page at:
http://www.lanecounty.org/departments/hhs/meningitis
Lane County Public Health is a division of Lane County Health & Human Services and is the local public
health agency for Lane County. Their programs and services create a healthier and safer community
through disease prevention, health promotion, and protection from environmental threats. Learn more
about the work of Lane County Public Health and Health and Human Services at:
http://www.lanecounty.org/Departments/HHS
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