Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 5, 2026, as Meningitis Day in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution No. 1578

BY: M. of A. Rules (Rosenthal)

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        October 5, 2026, as Meningitis Day in the  State  of
        New York

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom  of this Legislative Body to recognize
official observances which raise  awareness  of  serious  public  health
issues  affecting individuals, families, and communities throughout this
State and nation; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy  Hochul  to  proclaim  October  5,  2026,  as
Meningitis  Day  in  the  State  of  New York, in conjunction with World
Meningitis Day; and

  WHEREAS, World Meningitis Day is observed annually on October 5th to
increase  public  understanding  of  meningitis  prevention,   symptoms,
treatment, and the importance of immunization; and

  WHEREAS,  Meningitis  is  an inflammation of the membranes, known as
the meninges, surrounding the brain and spinal cord and may be caused by
viral or bacterial infections; while viral  meningitis  is  often  mild,
bacterial  meningitis  is  a serious and potentially fatal disease which
can progress rapidly within hours; and

  WHEREAS, Adolescents and young adults remain among  the  populations
at  greatest risk for meningococcal disease, and outbreaks have occurred
on college campuses and in community settings across the Nation; and

  WHEREAS,  Even  among  survivors  of  bacterial   meningitis,   many
individuals  experience long-term complications, including hearing loss,
neurological damage, epilepsy, paralysis, limb loss, and  organ  damage,
underscoring the devastating impact of this illness; and

  WHEREAS,  Vaccination against meningococcal disease has proven to be
an effective public  health  measure,  saving  lives  and  reducing  the
incidence  of severe complications associated with bacterial meningitis;
and

  WHEREAS,  Public  education  and  awareness   regarding   meningitis
symptoms,  prevention,  and  immunization  are essential to reducing the
spread of the disease  and  protecting  the  health  and  well-being  of
residents throughout this State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy  Hochul  to  proclaim  October  5,  2026,  as
Meningitis  Day  in the State of New York, and to encourage all citizens
to learn more  about  meningitis  prevention  through  immunization  and
public health education; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of  New
York.