Florida
24 cases, 7 deaths among gay and bisexual men reported in Florida meningococcal disease outbreak, CDC says
The CDC says the outbreak is “primarily amongst homosexual, bisexual, and different males who’ve intercourse with males, together with these residing with HIV. Current knowledge present that about half of the circumstances related to this outbreak are amongst Hispanic males. This outbreak is generally affecting individuals who dwell in Florida however has additionally affected some individuals who have traveled to Florida.”
Meningococcal illness contains meningitis — infections of the liner of the mind and spinal wire — and bloodstream infections. “Meningococcal illness can have an effect on anybody and could be lethal,” the CDC stated in its assertion.
The micro organism is unfold by way of sharing respiratory or throat secretions, equivalent to saliva or spit. It usually takes shut or prolonged contact, for instance kissing or being near somebody who’s coughing, to unfold the micro organism.
Signs embody excessive fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea or vomiting or a darkish purple rash, the CDC stated. Whereas they will first seem as flu like, they sometimes worsen in a short time. If somebody has these signs, they need to search medical consideration instantly.
CDC is recommending that homosexual, bisexual and different males who’ve intercourse with males get the meningococcal vaccine in the event that they dwell in Florida, or discuss to their well being care supplier if they’re touring to the state. For many who dwell with HIV, well being officers are emphasizing the significance of routine vaccination.
“Getting vaccinated in opposition to meningococcal illness is one of the simplest ways to stop this critical sickness, which might shortly change into lethal,” stated Dr. José R. Romero, director of the Nationwide Heart for Immunization and Respiratory Illnesses, within the CDC information launch. “Due to the outbreak in Florida, and the variety of Satisfaction occasions being held throughout the state in coming weeks, it is necessary that homosexual and bisexual males who dwell in Florida get vaccinated, and people touring to Florida discuss to their healthcare supplier about getting a MenACWY vaccine.”
The vaccine is obtainable at docs’ workplaces, pharmacies, group well being facilities or native well being departments, the CDC stated, and insurance coverage ought to cowl the fee for folks for whom the vaccine is really useful throughout an outbreak. Anybody in Florida can get the vaccine for gratis at county well being departments throughout the outbreak.
Based on the CDC, the outbreak affecting males who’ve intercourse with males is brought on by serogroup C. There may be additionally an unrelated serogroup B cluster amongst school and college college students in a single county.
The risk to the final US inhabitants is low, the CDC says, however there are notably excessive numbers of monkeypox circumstances amongst homosexual, bisexual, and different males who’ve intercourse with males. “Nonetheless, anybody who has been in shut contact with somebody who has monkeypox is in danger,” the CDC notes.