The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating “one of the worst outbreaks of meningococcal disease among gays and bisexual men in US history,” after at least 24 cases and six deaths were reported in Florida.
In a news release Wednesday, the CDC described a serogroup C meningococcal epidemic that spreads mainly to gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, including those living with HIV. About half of the cases were reported among Spanish-speaking men. The serogroup is a group of bacteria containing a common antigen.
The CDC, which is investigating the outbreak with the Florida Department of Health, is also investigating a separate meningococcal epidemic of serogroup B among students in Leon County, Florida.
The Florida Department of Health first reported the outbreak of Leon County in April.
Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. It can cause a fatal infection of the bloodstream or meningitis, an infection of the lining of the brain or spinal cord.
Bacteria are spread through close contact, such as coughing or kissing. The most common symptoms of the disease are fever, headache or purple rash.
The CDC encourages gay and bisexual men in Florida to receive the meningococcal vaccine (or MenACWY), which is free through Florida County resources.
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Jose Romero, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said vaccination was “the best way to prevent this serious disease, which can quickly become deadly.”
“Because of 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 living in Florida be vaccinated,” Romero said in a statement.
“Those who travel to Florida talk to their healthcare provider about getting the MenACWY vaccine,” he added.
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