Whereas it is the custom of the House of Representatives to increase awareness of serious illnesses that affect the lives of United States citizens; Whereas meningococcal disease, more commonly referred to as bacterial meningitis, is any infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis; Whereas meningococcal disease is uncommon; however, when it strikes, its flu-like symptoms make diagnosis difficult; Whereas meningococcal disease can cause serious illness, such as infection of the lining of the brain and spinal column (meningitis) or blood infections (sepsis); Whereas the disease strikes quickly and can lead to severe or permanent disabilities, such as hearing loss, brain damage, seizures, and limb amputation, or even lead to death within 24 to 48 hours; Whereas, although 1 in 10 people are carriers for this bacteria with no signs or symptoms of disease, sometimes Neisseria meningitidis bacteria can cause illness; Whereas there are different strains of bacterial meningitis, including serogroups A, C, W, Y, and B, and vaccines exist to help provide protection against all the serogroups commonly seen in the United States; Whereas the single best way to help prevent all common strains of meningococcal disease is to be vaccinated with both a MenACWY vaccine and a separate MenB vaccine; Whereas meningococcal disease is spread from person to person via the exchange of the bacteria through respiratory and throat secretions during close or lengthy contact, such as sharing beverages or eating utensils, kissing, or spending time in close contact with someone who is sick or who carries the bacteria; Whereas community settings in which large groups of people gather, like college campuses, can increase the risk of the spread of meningococcal disease; Whereas, because of the way meningitis is spread through close personal contact, the social behavior of young adults ages 17 to 23 increases their risk of contracting the disease