One of the worst irruption of meningococcal disease among homo and bisexual men in US history has take in theattention of the CDC , which is working hard to get to the bottom of the outbreak .
At least 24 cases and 6 deaths among homo and bisexual man have been cover so far , accord toCDC statisticson June 22 .
Meningococcal disease come to to any illness triggered by bacteria calledNeisseria meningitidis . It can imply infection of the brain lining and spinal cord ( aka meningitis ) , plus bloodstream infection . symptom can first seem like the flu – including a sudden onset of a gamey fever , head ache , besotted cervix , nausea , vomiting , and a dark violet rash – but peoples ’ conditions can often worsen very quickly .
It ’s important to spotlight that anyone can catch this infection , not just world who have sex with piece , and it is n’t considered a sexually transmitted disease . It ’s spread out to others through respiratory and pharynx secretions , like spittle or spitting , but generally ask close or lengthy contact such as kissing .
In the on-going Florida outbreak , there is a large cluster that ’s primarily among gay , bisexual , and other men who have sex with men , including those living with HIV . It also appears around one-half of the cases are among Hispanic Isle of Man . There ’s another small clump in Florida that looks like primarily impact college and university students .
In Light Within of the hazard , the CDC is advocate gay , bisexual , and other men who have sex with men get a meningococcal vaccinum ( MenACWY ) if they experience in Florida or are traveling there . They stress that this is especially crucial for people with HIV who may have dampened immune systems .
“ Getting vaccinated against meningococcal disease is the best style to forbid this serious malady , which can quickly become deadly , ” José R. Romero , Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases , say in astatement .
“ Because of the eruption in Florida , and the number of Pride events being held across the commonwealth in number weeks , it ’s important that gay and bisexual man who live in Florida get immunize , and those travel to Florida talk to their health care supplier about getting a MenACWY vaccine , ” continued Romero .
