Meningitis in Babies Awareness Week: Welsh family tells their story and meets campaign supporter Nick Ramsay AM

03 October 2009

Where: Senedd building, Welsh Assembly, Cardiff.
When: 1pm Monday 12 October 2009
What:  Publicise Welsh Assembly's support for Meningitis Research Foundation's Meningitis Awareness Week campaign
Who: Nick Ramsay AM and MRF Member Carolyn Williams and son Alfie

Welsh media are invited to meet, interview and photograph Nick, Carolyn and Alfie  

Babies run the highest risk of meningitis, says charity Meningitis Research Foundation. The risk is 38 times higher for babies under 12 months of age compared to children older than one and adults. MRF urges parents and carers of young children to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis.

In support of MRF's Awareness Week, Welsh Assembly Member Nick Ramsay has raised a Statement of Opinion in the Assembly (http://tinyurl.com/OPIN20090079).

Nick Ramsay AM says: "I'm pleased to support Meningitis in Babies Awareness Week. These are devastating diseases, and babies under 12 months old are 38 times more susceptible to meningitis than older children and adults. It's vital for Welsh parents and carers of young children to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia, because knowing the symptoms and acting quickly could save a life."

Nick will be joined by MRF Member Carolyn Williams and her son Alfie. Carolyn, from Llanelli, says: "My son Alfie had meningitis in 2008 aged just 5 months. Thankfully he recovered but it was a nightmare experience for our family - we really thought we'd lose him. Babies under one year old are far more likely to get meningitis than those over one, and two babies will die every week from the diseases. It's vitally important to be aware of the symptoms, that's why I'm supporting Meningitis Research Foundation's Awareness Week."

Every year over 1000 babies in the UK get meningitis and septicaemia*, and one in ten die from the illness. Of those fortunate enough to survive, about a quarter are left with life-altering effects that can be as severe as brain damage, deafness and cerebral palsy. For the youngest babies the picture is even worse - as many as half of babies who develop meningitis in their first month of life have long-term after effects. Many babies are too badly damaged to ever live independently.

If you are concerned simply call MRF's Freefone 24-hour helpline - 080 8800 3344. Trained staff and nurses are on-hand to talk through any aspect of the diseases - from information on recognising the symptoms, to befriending for those whose lives have been affected by meningitis.
 
This information is also available by SMS text message - text MRF to 82088 to receive symptoms information on your mobile. It costs just one text message and minimal data download charges, and could help save a life.
                                        

Media Contact:     

Harpinder Collacott (Meningitis Research Foundation) 01454 281811 or 07711 057875

* There are estimated to be another approx 3000 cases caused by other rarer types of neonatal blood infection and septicaemia.
* ** Meningococcal B is responsible for the majority of cases of meningitis in children and adults in the UK and Republic of Ireland but for which there is no vaccination as yet.

Notes to Editor:
Other symptoms in babies include: tense or bulging fontanelle (soft spot); blotchy skin, getting paler or turning blue; refusing to feed; irritable when picked up, with a high pitched or moaning cry; a stiff body with jerky movements or else floppy and lifeless.     

Symptoms of meningitis:
Severe headache; Stiff neck*; Dislike of bright lights*; Fever/vomiting; Drowsy and less responsive/vacant; Rash; Seizures (fits) may also be seen.  (*unusual in young children)

Symptoms of septicaemia:    
(This form of the illness often starts with non-specific flu-like symptoms):
Rash; fever/vomiting; cold hands and feet/shivering; limb/joint/muscle pain; abdominal pain (sometimes with diarrhoea); pale or mottled skin; rapid or unusual breathing, drowsy and less responsive/vacant.

• Meningitis Research Foundation is currently funding 24 research projects into the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis and septicaemia. The Foundation has spent £15.6 million on research since its inception in 1989.
• Meningitis Research Foundation operates a Freefone 24 hour helpline - 080 8800 3344 - providing information on meningitis and septicaemia to the general public and health professionals.
• Information on meningitis and septicaemia is also available on this website in 22 languages. An interpretation service in 150 languages is available through the 24-hour helpline.
• The Foundation offers support for those affected by meningitis and septicaemia. Trained helpline staff are available 365 days a year. A befriender service links people with experience of meningitis and septicaemia to share their experiences and counsel each other.