As an outbreak of meningococcal disease (which can lead to meningitis) causes illness in Florida, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are urging people to get vaccines to prevent infection.
Meningitis is a potentially deadly inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord caused by viruses or the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, the pathogen responsible for meningococcal disease. So far, the number of meningococcal disease cases identified in Florida this year “surpasses the 5-year average of meningococcal disease cases,” in the state, according to the Florida Department of Health.
A report from the department shows there has been an average of five meningococcal disease cases in people younger than 24 over the past five years. From 2011 to 2020, there was a peak in cases in 2013 with 20 cases.
According to the CDC, all 11 to 12-year-old children should get a MenACWY vaccine to protect against meningococcal disease, followed by a booster when they are 16 years old.
“Teens and young adults (16 through 23 years old) also may get a MenB vaccine,” and the “CDC also recommends meningococcal vaccination for other children and adults who are at increased risk for meningococcal disease.”
Epidemiologists from the Florida Department of Health are investigating each case in the state and contacting people with potential or direct exposure to known cases to provide them with information and treatment options. The CDC said Florida’s meningococcal disease outbreak is mostly impacting people who live there, but that it has also affected some people who have traveled to Florida.
There have been cases of meningococcal disease reported at college campus in Florida, but those are not suspected to be connected to the large outbreak.
“College campuses have reported outbreaks of serogroup B meningococcal disease in recent years,” the CDC said.
The majority of cases so far have been identified in central Florida, WESH reported April 8. At that time, there were six cases in Orange County, three cases in Lake County, two cases in Brevard County, one case in Osceola County and one case in Seminole County.
Gay men, bisexual men and men who have sex with men – including those who are HIV positive – have been most impacted by the outbreak, according to the CDC. Therefore, those groups are especially encouraged to “consider vaccination with a meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine.”
MenACWY vaccination is routinely recommended for all people with HIV in the United States,” per CDC guidelines. If people with HIV plan to travel to Florida, they should get at least two primary vaccine doses.
Additionally, college and university students, immunocompromised individuals and people who received their meningococcal disease vaccine more than five years ago should consider getting a shot. People in vulnerable groups who do not have HIV and are traveling to Florida should consider getting a MenACWY shot at least two weeks before traveling.
While meningococcal disease can be deadly, the bacteria that causes it is not as contagious as the pathogen that cause the common cold or flu.
“People do not catch the bacteria through casual contact or by breathing air where someone with meningococcal disease has been,” said the Florida Department of Public Health. “It requires close contact over a period of time, or direct contact such as kissing or sharing drinks.”
Even so, getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against infection.
Those who do get infected with meningococcal disease may experience: fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, confusion, and rash.
If you have symptoms of meningococcal disease, seek medical care immediately, as symptoms of can rapidly worsen. Meningococcal vaccines can be found by contacting a local health care provider, county health department, or pharmacy.
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