The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Florida Department of Health and Human Services are urging men who have sex with men to get vaccinated once morest meningitis amid “one of the worst outbreaks of meningococcal disease among gay and bisexual men in US history”.
In Florida, 26 cases and seven deaths from meningococcal disease have been recorded in the past few weeks, including 24 cases and six deaths in gay and bisexual men.
The CDC said in a statement that the outbreak of meningococcal infection “occurred primarily among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, including those living with HIV. Recent data shows that regarding half of the cases among Hispanics associated with this outbreak are men.
“This outbreak is primarily affecting people who live in Florida, but also some people who have traveled to Florida.”
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Meningococcal infections include meningitis (an infection of the meningeal membrane that lines the brain and spinal cord) and toxemia. Left untreated, both of these conditions can lead to death within days. Two serogroups – subspecies of the meningococcal bacteria – known as B and C, were identified in the Florida outbreak.
Serogroup C is the strain that currently affects large numbers of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. There is also an outbreak of serogroup B meningococcal disease in Leon County among college students.
The bacteria are spread through prolonged close contact, sharing respiratory or throat secretions such as saliva or spit. Although it’s not classified as a sexually transmitted disease because it’s not transmitted through sexual bodily fluids like semen, it can be transmitted through sex or kissing.
“Vaccination once morest meningococcal disease is the best way to prevent this serious, quickly fatal disease,” said Dr. José R. Romero, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, in the CDC statement.
“Due to the outbreak in Florida and the number of Pride events taking place across the state in the coming weeks, it is important that gay and bisexual men residing in Florida be vaccinated, and those traveling to Florida, talk to their healthcare provider regarding getting vaccinated with the MenACWY vaccine.”
The MenACWY vaccine protects once morest serogroups A, C, W and Y, while the MenB vaccine is recommended for serogroup B. People with HIV are most susceptible to meningococcal infection because they often have a compromised immune system. The CDC advises people living with HIV to receive a meningococcal conjugate ACWY vaccine and booster doses of this vaccine for life.
meningococci Bacteria are responsible for these outbreaks, but many people carry the bacteria without getting sick. About 1 in 10 people have these bacteria in their nose and throat, but they don’t get sick unless the bacteria get into the bloodstream or the lining of the brain. Serogroups B, C, and Y are the most common in the United States
According to the CDC, symptoms of meningococcal infection include high fever, sensitivity to light, headache, stiff neck, nausea or vomiting, or a dark purple rash. It can often be misinterpreted as a hangover, but treatment is needed as soon as possible.
Up to 2 in 10 people who get meningococcal disease die from the infection, but one person can be saved if treated with antibiotics right away. However, following contracting the bacteria, long-term problems can occur, including hearing or vision loss, memory and concentration problems, epilepsy, and even amputations of affected limbs.
Men who have sex with men are urged to speak to their doctor regarding getting a MenACWY vaccination when traveling to Florida, the CDC said.