Bill 58 2013

An Act to proclaim Meningitis Awareness Day

Preamble

Meningitis is a serious infection caused by inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord.  Often mistaken for the flu, it can kill or maim within hours.  It strikes approximately 1,000 Canadians each year, mostly children and teenagers.  Meningitis knows no boundaries based on wealth, colour, creed or country.

Approximately 10 per cent of individuals who contract the disease will die. Of those who survive, up to one in five will suffer permanent disabilities such as hearing loss, neurological damage or limb amputation. 

Meningitis spreads through bacteria being transmitted by sharing personal items such as eating utensils, and by coughing, sneezing, kissing and engaging in other close physical contact.

Better awareness and increased vaccination rates will help prevent the spread of the disease.

Meningitis Relief Canada (MRC) is a registered Canadian charity with a mandate to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by meningitis.  Its mission is to educate and raise awareness of meningitis among the public and healthcare professionals so as to prevent death and disability from the disease. It also provides grief and bereavement counselling, financial assistance and support services to those affected by meningitis in Canada.

April 24 in each year is World Meningitis Day.  Proclaiming April 24 as Meningitis Awareness Day in Ontario supports the work of MRC by dedicating a day to heighten awareness of the disease and to share best practices, information and research, which are essential to ensuring that no family loses a loved one to this terrible disease.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Meningitis Awareness Day

   1.  April 24 in each year is proclaimed as Meningitis Awareness Day.

Commencement

   2.  This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

   3.  The short title of this Act is the Meningitis Awareness Day Act, 2013.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill proclaims April 24 in each year as Meningitis Awareness Day.