There is a statewide outbreak of meningococcal disease in Virginia, according to health authorities.
On 30 August, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) released a statement warning that 27 cases of the disease had been reported in eastern, central, and southwest Virginia in the past 14 months. This is three times higher than the expected number of cases during that time period, the statement said. Five people have died from complications of the illness.
