ORLANDO, Fla. — At least six people in Florida have died in what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday called “one of the worst outbreaks of meningococcal disease among gay and bisexual men in U.S. history,” with state and health officials and LGBTQ+ groups scrambling to alert the public about the deadly disease.
As of Tuesday, the Florida Department of Health has recorded 10 deaths and 44 cases in 2022, more than double the annual average over the last five years: 13 of those were in Orange County, three in Seminole, three in Lake and one in Osceola. At least 26 of those cases and six of the deaths have been linked back to the outbreak, CDC spokesperson Bert Kelly said. Typically, only about 2% to 3% of cases are due to outbreaks, the CDC says.
Meningococcal disease can lead to a bloodstream infection or meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. More than 1 out of 10 people who catch the disease will die, even with treatment, and as many as 1 in 5 may face complications such as brain damage or limb loss, the CDC says on its website.
The CDC said it's collaborating with the FDOH to investigate the outbreak, which is occurring primarily in communities of men who have sex with men.
Dr. José R. Romero, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, in Wednesday’s news said the disease is highly preventable through vaccination.
“Getting vaccinated against meningococcal disease is the best way to prevent this serious illness, which can quickly become deadly,” Romero said. “Because of the outbreak in Florida, and the number of Pride events being held across the state in coming weeks, 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.”
While the bacteria that causes the illness is not as contagious as the germs that cause a cold or flu, it can still spread through close or lengthy contact: for example, kissing or coughing on someone.
As of May 2022, 78% of people with confirmed infections were not up to date on their shots or had an unknown vaccination status, the FDOH said in a May report.
People living with HIV, college students, immunocompromised people, and anyone in the LGBTQ+ community should consider vaccination with a meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine during this outbreak, said Kent Donahue, spokesperson for the Department of Health in Orange County.
Donahue said the agency’s epidemiology program has been part of 66 community outreach events since February.
“The Florida Department of Health in Orange County’s Epidemiology (EPI) program has been actively engaged in prevention and vaccination efforts to contain the rise of Meningococcal cases in the county,” Donahue wrote.
Symptoms can appear suddenly and include high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea or vomiting, or a dark purple rash. While at first symptoms may appear to be the flu, they will rapidly worsen, the CDC said.
Its advisory urges people to seek medical attention right away if they have any symptoms.
Vaccinations widely available
Vaccinations are free at county health departments, FDOH’s website says. The Florida Department of Health in Orange County offers meningococcal vaccines by calling 407-723-5004, Donahue said.
People should get vaccinated with one dose of the shot, or two if they have HIV, the CDC says, adding that side effects are typically mild.
The Center, Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community hub on Mills Avenue, will administer free meningococcal vaccinations from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday as part of the second annual test-a-thon, a 24-hour event marking National HIV Testing Day.
“We are trying to do our best to get the word out,” said Marshall Turner, director of operations at The Center. “We’ve got information from the Department of Health posted around all of our offices.”
The two agencies have worked closely, Turner said.
He said The Center and the Health Department had information booths next to each other June 2-5 at the Gay Days Expo at the Avanti Palms Resort on International Drive.
The Center also will provide HIV and Hepatitis A screening during the test-a-thon.
”Over the last couple months, as the outbreak has started to increase, we’ve partnered with the Department of Health and hosted a number of vaccination events here,” Turner said.
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