Monkeypox may be in the news, but Florida health officials are alarmed by another more serious outbreak: meningococcal disease.
“Meningococcal disease, to some extent, worries me more given the severity of the disease,” Dr. Ulyee Choe, state medical director of the Florida Department of Health, said at a news conference Wednesday.
The outbreak of meningitis in Florida, which has mainly affected gay and bisexual men, has been far more deadly than the monkeypox, which has caused no deaths in the United States, Choe said.
By contrast, 12 people have died among the 48 confirmed cases of meningococcal disease in Florida in 2022, a 25 percent mortality rate, Choe said. There have been four cases in Miami-Dade and two in Broward from Jan. 1 to July 19, according to the health department.
In June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which works with the state health department, said the two health agencies are investigating cases in Florida, which they called “one of the worst outbreaks of meningococcal disease among gay and bisexual men in the United States “. history. ”
Florida had 27 cases of meningococcal disease in 2021, 17 cases in 2020 and 23 in 2019, compared to 48 cases recorded in mid-2022.
READ MORE: There is an outbreak of meningitis in Florida. Here’s who is at risk and what you need to know
What causes meningitis?
Meningococcal disease is caused by a bacterium and usually requires close contact to be transmitted from one person to another, such as kissing or sharing food or drink. It may first feel like the flu, but it quickly gets worse by infecting the brain and spinal cord, a condition known as meningitis. It can also enter the bloodstream.
The CDC, along with the health department, say the best way to prevent the disease is to get vaccinated, especially among people living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
About half of the cases in Florida are among Hispanic men and some of the people are living with HIV, the CDC said. Most cases have been transmitted locally, although some have involved people who have traveled to Florida and then become ill.
While meningococcal disease primarily affects gay men, “it’s not limited to one particular community,” Choe said. “It’s a communicable disease and anyone is susceptible.”
Vaccination is requested
High-risk patients should receive the meningitis vaccine, which is readily available, Choe said. The vaccine is recommended for men who have sex with men and those who are immunocompromised.
Anyone who has been exposed to meningococcal disease or has a high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and red and purple rash should seek immediate medical attention, Choe said. The disease can be treated and prevented with IV antibiotics.
High-risk patients should register immediately to get a vaccine, said Jeremy Redfern, Florida Department of Health press secretary.
“We need to make sure the public understands … that meningococcal disease is a serious threat to both of these,” he said.
Florida has also seen an increase in cases of monkeypox. As of Tuesday, the state had 208 cases of monkeypox, compared to 73 cases about two weeks ago. Most cases are in South Florida, 110 in Broward and 56 in Miami-Dade as of Tuesday.
All monkeypox vaccines in Florida are being administered, Redfern said. All appointments are being filled according to the current offer, until the state receives 10,700 more doses.