One of the greatest meningococcal illness outbreaks among homosexual and bisexual males in US history is being looked into by the Florida Department of Health and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the CDC on Wednesday. Seven deaths among gay and bisexual males and 24 cases have both been documented thus far. Following what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention described as “one of the greatest outbreaks of meningococcal disease among gay and bisexual males in U.S. history,” health officials advised men who have sex with other men in Florida to be vaccinated against the disease.
According to a statement from the CDC, the bacteria has lately been responsible for at least 24 illnesses and seven deaths among gay and bisexual men in Florida. Gay and bisexual males coming to Florida should inquire with their doctor about receiving the immunization, the CDC advised. The National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases José Romero stated, “It’s important that gay and bisexual men who live in Florida get vaccinated, and those traveling to Florida talk to their healthcare provider about getting a MenACWY vaccine. This is because of the outbreak in Florida and the number of Pride events that will be held across the state in the coming weeks.
When the linings of the brain and spinal cord become infected, a condition known as meningitis results from the bacterial meningococcal illness. According to the CDC, three to seven days after exposure, meningococcal disease typically manifests as meningitis or a bloodstream infection. Both are dangerous and serious. When the “tissue covering the brain and spinal cord” gets infected and swollen, it is said to have meningococcal meningitis. The most common symptoms are fever, headache, and stiff neck, though they can also occasionally include nausea, vomiting, and confusion.
Blood vessel walls are harmed by meningococcal bloodstream infection, which results in bleeding into the skin and internal organs. Fever, chills, exhaustion, nausea, cold hands and feet, fast breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, severe pains, and a dark purple rash are all potential symptoms. Antibiotics can be used to treat meningococcal disease, but treatment must start quickly after symptoms appear.
According to the CDC, symptoms can include a dark purple rash, high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, or vomiting. Although they may first seem like the flu, they often worsen very quickly. If someone exhibits these signs, they should see a doctor right away. People with symptoms should seek medical attention straight once because meningococcal disease can first manifest as a flu-like illness and quickly deteriorate.
According to the CDC, the vaccination is available at clinics, drug stores, community health centers, and municipal health departments; those for whom the vaccine is advised during an outbreak should have insurance to cover the expense. Anyone in Florida can acquire the vaccine at no cost from county health offices during the outbreak.
The majority of those infected by this outbreak are Floridians, but it has also spread to some visitors, according to officials. Half of the people who contract the sickness in Florida are Hispanic, according to the CDC.
