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An international survey conducted by GSK and released for World Meningitis Day shows gaps in the knowledge parents feel they have about meningococcal disease and its potential consequences. Almost 7 in 10 parents said they don’t know enough about the different strains of meningococcal disease and the potential damage they can cause. On average, more than half of parents were either unsure or unaware that there are different types of bacteria that cause the disease. The survey of 5,000 parents in Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy and Portugal also shows that out of a list of 14 vaccine-preventable diseases, meningococcal disease is considered by many parents to pose a top three health risk to their children. Fifty-seven percent listed meningococcal disease among the top three health conditions they considered of greatest risk to children followed by Hepatitis B at 34 percent, pneumococcal disease at 27 percent, polio at 25 percent, tetanus at 20 percent and pertussis at 17 percent. A sudden, potentially life-threatening illness, meningococcal disease kills on average one person every eight minutes worldwide. It typically manifests as bacterial meningitis – an infection of the membrane around the brain and spine; or bacteraemia – a bloodstream infection. The disease progresses rapidly and it can lead to death within 24-48 hours of the first symptoms; globally up to 1 in 10 of those infected may die and in the US about 10-15 percent of people will die. To view the multimedia release go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7814851-gsk-survey-world-meningitis-day/

Actress and mother of two Sarah Michelle Gellar is joining March of Dimes and Sanofi Pasteur on the Sounds of Pertussis® Campaign to help raise awareness about pertussis, also known as whooping cough, and the importance of adult vaccination. Pertussis is on the rise across the U.S., and infants and young children may be most vulnerable. To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/61367-sanofi-pasteur-sounds-of-pertussis/

The Sounds of Pertussis Campaign moves into action with the second annual Pertussis Awareness Day in New York City featuring a range of educational activities, including the launch of the Sound Off About Pertussis song contest and a new public service announcement (PSA) featuring four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon. The national public awareness campaign encourages parents to help protect themselves and their babies from pertussis—commonly known as whooping cough—by getting vaccinated with an adult Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) booster, which may reduce their risk of getting the disease and spreading it to their babies. To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/soundsofpertussis/45203/