The outbreak of meningococcal disease in Florida has caused at least 26 serious illnesses, a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official said Wednesday. Sam Crowe, a CDC epidemiologist, said seven cases were fatal.
Outbreaks mainly affect men who have sex with men. At least 24 cases and 6 deaths occur between gay and bisexual men. The agency said in a news release.. About half of the cases occur in Hispanic men.
New cases are still being reported. The outbreak is “very ongoing,” said Dr. Crowe.
The disease, caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, is usually spread by close or long-term contact through activities such as kissing. It can manifest as meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord) or sepsis, an infection of the bloodstream. Jill Roberts, a molecular epidemiologist at the University of South Florida, says the disease remains rare, but serious and can lead to death “literally overnight.”
“The number of cases is not very high,” she added. “But the case of meningitis is really considered to be what we are worried about.”
If detected early, the disease can be treated with antibiotics. It can also be prevented with a vaccine. Health officials recommend vaccination of people at risk, especially men who have sex with men and live in Florida.
“We want to make sure that gay and bisexual men are aware of the deadly outbreaks in Florida and how easy it is to protect themselves: vaccination.” Dr. Crow said.
Vaccination is often recommended for college students, people with HIV, or people with weakened immunity.
Although current outbreaks primarily affect men who have sex with men, the disease can affect those who are in close contact with infected individuals.
“Anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, age, or race, can get the disease,” Dr. Crowe said.
Florida first notified the CDC of the surge in meningococcal disease in late January, Dr. Crowe said. The state usually has 20 to 25 cases of illness each year. So far this year, he said, 44 cases have already been reported in Florida. (Not all of these cases are related to the current outbreak. In February and March, there were small clusters of unrelated cases among college students, and there were other isolated cases.)
Many recent cases of monkeypox have also been identified in men who have sex with men, but the disease can also affect anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation. Experts say it’s important not to stigmatize men who have sex with men.
“It is in the greatest interest of everyone to feel very comfortable with people moving forward and to make sure they are receiving the care they need,” said Dr. Roberts.
Symptoms of meningococcal disease include fever, headache, stiff shoulders, and rash. According to scientists, people who develop these symptoms should see a doctor immediately.
