MEDIA RELEASE PR36333
Meningitis Advocates and Childhood Immunisation Specialists from Around the Globe Come Together
in Hong Kong for First Ever Conference in Asia Pacific
WELLINGTON, Sept. 29 /NZPA-AsiaNet/ --
The Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) is holding its 4th Annual Members Conference at
the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Sha Tin, Hong Kong on 3rd - 5th October 2009.
CoMO, already active in The Americas, UK, Europe and Australia, is strengthening its reach across Asia
Pacific to unite the globe in the fight against vaccine preventable childhood diseases such as meningitis and
septicaemia (blood poisoning).
"This will be the first time that CoMO has held a conference in the Asia Pacific region," stated CoMO
President Mr Bruce Langoulant, from Perth, Australia.
"By hosting the conference in Hong Kong, we aim to connect delegates and healthcare professionals from
the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong and India with organisations and individuals from the USA, Canada, UK,
Europe and Australia" added Mr Langoulant.
The Hong Kong location is also significant, as the Hong Kong Government is the first in Asia to include a
vaccine for Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (a common form of meningitis) to their Childhood Immunisation
Program. CoMO strongly supports the introduction of national childhood immunisation programs to protect all
children from the devastating effects of meningitis and septicaemia.
The conference will bring together world class childhood health and immunisation specialists, meningitis
organisations and patient groups who are actively working to raise public awareness of meningitis and
educate all parents as to the signs and symptoms of meningitis and the appropriate actions to take.
The conference program includes expert updates on meningitis across the world, development and
distribution of vaccines, and global healthcare systems. There will be workshops and discussion groups on
topics relevant to both developing and established meningitis organisations and advocacy groups.
Mr Bill Lay, convenor of the Children's Vaccine Concern Group in Hong Kong, will be attending the
Conference and is excited about learning from others' experiences. "I am looking forward to connecting with
other organisations, hearing about their successes and building a network of support in order to increase
CoMOs voice within the Asia Pacific region."
- ENDS -
About CoMO:
The Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) was established in 2004 to be a global voice for the
organisations and patient groups which continue to be formed to raise awareness about meningitis and
septicaemia (blood poisoning) and to ensure support is available for those affected.
CoMO is now comprised of 26 meningitis and children's health organisations and 7 individual advocates
from around the world and is looking to strengthen its network of families and healthcare professionals within
the Asia Pacific region.
FACT SHEET
The Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO)
The Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) was established in 2004 to be a global voice for the
organisations and patient groups which continue to be formed to raise awareness about meningitis and
septicaemia (blood poisoning) and to ensure support is available for those affected.
CoMO was founded at the close of the 2004 World Conference of Meningitis Organisations. Attended by 43
delegates representing 20 meningitis and children's health organisations from 14 countries, the conference
allowed attendees to learn and share best practices about education, awareness and support programs.
Encouraged by the information shared at the meeting, 20 delegates representing various meningitis and
advocacy groups, formed CoMO in order to help support the fight against meningitis by emphasizing the
global burden of the disease and supporting the establishment of new meningitis and children's health
organisations.
CoMO is now comprised of 26 meningitis and children's health organisations and 7 individual advocates
from around the world.
CoMO is dedicated to assisting member organisations to be sustainable, identifiable and influential sources
for information and support services for people affected by meningitis in their regions. They are united in their
endeavours globally through their membership of CoMO, and by their commitment to the elimination of
meningitis and associated septicaemia.
Meningitis and septicaemia kill and maim many thousands of people around the world each year.
Meningitis is the name given to the inflammation of the membranes, called the meninges, which surround
and protect the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by many different organisms including bacteria, viruses
and fungi. Some of the bacteria can also cause septicaemia as well as meningitis.
Vaccines are the only way to prevent bacterial meningitis and there are a number available against some of
the different types and strains of bacteria. However, until there are vaccines against all causative bacteria it is
vital to know the signs and symptoms and the actions to take.
The media play a critical role in helping CoMO educate parents and healthcare practitioners about the signs
and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia, as well as informing them of support services.
For more information about CoMO and its members in your region, please visit: www.comoonline.org
For further information or to coordinate and interview with CoMO President, Mr Bruce Langoulant, please
contact:
Andrea Brady
andreabrady01@gmail.com
+64 212 545 324
SOURCE: Catalyst Communications Consulting Limited
NEWS 
