Free meningitis vaccination for rural residents in Tancun Village in Tianhe District was distributed swiftly Monday to prevent the spread of the disease.

The Tianhe center for disease prevention and control received reports of two people being admitted to Huaqiao Hospital and Guangzhou No. 12 People's Hospital with confirmed meningitis.

Pan, 43, a native of Zhaoqing who makes a living driving motorcycle taxi in Guangzhou, was diagnosed with the symptoms last Tuesday. He lost consciousness the following day. He was taken to hospital by a friend. Doctors said Pan was in a serious condition. He might have been infected out of fatigue during the holidays when his immunity could have declined, said a doctor who added that Pan was on the way to recovery.

The other patient was a three-year-old toddler.

Universities and colleges in Guangzhou started free vaccinations for students Monday, the first day of school.

All institutions are required to report meningitis to the provincial health department daily.

(Shenzhen Daily February 24, 2005)