The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health alert regarding a concerning increase in rare and serious meningococcal infections across the United States. These infections are caused by a certain strain of the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, with a higher fatality rate than usual.
Typically, meningococcal infections affect babies or young adults, but recent cases have primarily been impacting middle-aged adults. In September alone, the Virginia Department of Health reported five deaths from the same rare form of meningococcal disease.
Meningococcal disease can lead to meningitis and septicemia and is spread through respiratory and throat secretions. The year 2023 saw the highest number of cases since 2014, with most cases caused by the ST-1466 strain in the Y subgroup. 2024 is on track to exceed 2023 numbers, with the majority of cases reported in adults between the ages of 30 and 60.
Most of the cases have been among Black individuals, with 15% occurring in individuals with HIV. Symptoms of meningococcal disease include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, aversion to light, and, in some cases, infected joints. Immediate treatment with antibiotics is critical, but survivors may still face long-term effects such as deafness or amputations.
There is a vaccine available for protection against bacterial meningitis, recommended for children ages 11 to 12 with a booster at age 16. Vulnerable groups are advised to receive boosters every 3 to 5 years.
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