The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it is one of the worst outbreaks in US history
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Florida’s Department of Health are investigating one of the “worst outbreaks of meningococcal disease among gay and bisexual men in US history,” and are urging citizens to get vaccinated.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the CDC claims that there have been at least 27 cases and six deaths from meningococcal disease in Florida since April 2022. Among those cases, six deaths and 24 infections were in “men who have sex with men” as well as persons living with HIV.
Meningococcal disease includes meningitis – an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord – as well as bloodstream infections, both of which can quickly become fatal. The bacteria are spread through sharing respiratory or throat secretions such as saliva or spit, and usually takes prolonged exposure to…