This August, Pat was back home in Vancouver at Canada’s largest beach soccer tournament, Beach Soccer Blast, handing out water bottles and informing parents and children about known methods to protect against meningitis.   

“It’s a simple message,” said Mr. Onstad.  “Children playing sports should have their own water bottle and avoid sharing it with their teammates.”

Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious bacterial infection that strikes approximately 300 people in Canada every year, and can result in meningitis.   The bacteria that cause the infection can be spread from one person to another through close contact involving secretions from the nose or throat, such as kissing, sharing eating utensils or water bottles.

 “It’s important that Canadians know that many strains of meningitis are preventable,” said Mr. Onstad.  “Spreading awareness encourages parents to take precautions and seek advice about how to protect their children from this devastating disease.”

Five strains of meningococcal disease, A, B, C, Y, and W-135, account for almost all cases in Canada.  Four of these strains, A, C, Y, and W-135, can be prevented through immunization, but most childhood immunization programs only vaccinate against the C strain.

“Immunizing against only one of the four vaccine preventable strains is a missed opportunity, especially now that we have a safe and effective vaccine called Menactra that can protect against four strains of the bacteria,” said Dr. William Abelson, Pediatrician & President, British Columbia Pediatric Society, who also took part in the event.  “When parents speak to their physician about immunizations for their children, they should ensure they are getting the broadest protection possible.”

For more information on how you can help protect yourself and your loved ones against meningitis, please visit www.meningitis.ca or www.menactra.ca.