'Bee' aware of meningitis 'B' strain

Many students starting their courses at university may think they are protected against the dangers of meningitis. But even if they were part of the massive vaccination programme introduced in recent years, they are only protected against the 'C' strain of meningitis.

Click here to go to the meningitis website

To drive the point home and make sure students are still alert to the dangers poised by the disease, the University of Teesside and its Students' Union have joined forces to mount a Meningitis Awareness Week, from Monday 30 September to Friday 4 October, 2002.

And helping to get the message across will be an army of bees - 2,000 in total.

Student Health Advisor Aline Marron says: "Students and staff shouldn't worry about the bees. The only sting is in the message attached to the little fluffy bumble bees - 'B-aware of Meningitis' - because meningitis B accounts for the majority of meningococcal disease in the UK and as yet there is no available vaccine."

Catherine Pollock, Education and Welfare Officer of the Students' Union, said: "We think it is very important for everyone to be aware that meningitis is still a very dangerous disease; even if they have been given the 'C' strain vaccine. We hope the bees will help to get the message across in a fun-way."

Click here to go to the meningitis website

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