CA: 2016-2017 Southern California meningococcal outbreak

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Source: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disease-720426-meningococcal-health.html


State health officials warn of Southern California meningococcal outbreak
June 24, 2016
Updated 10:42 a.m.
By LEO SMITH / STAFF WRITER

Nine cases of meningococcal disease have been detected in men in Orange and Los Angeles counties since May, including in one patient who died from the infection, the California Department of Public Health announced Friday.

In a health advisory, the CDPH warned that the outbreak of the rare but potentially fatal disease primarily shows up in adult gay and bisexual men, and that people with HIV are at particular risk...

 

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Source: http://thepridela.com/2016/07/cdc-investigates-outbreak-22-meningitis-cases-la-area/


CDC investigates outbreak of 22 meningitis cases in L.A. area
July 7, 2016 by thepride

BY TROY MASTERS | Somebody needs to be fired.

Having known since at least April that an unusual cluster of Invasive Meningococcal Disease was developing in Los Angeles County, it has taken more than three months, one death and 22 cases of the disease among residents of L.A. County (including Long Beach) and Orange County to warrant even a press conference from public health officials.

Aware that the risk of contagion among gay/bi men, transgender women and people with HIV was high before the Long Beach, L.A. and Orange County Pride parades and festivals were held, the only outreach to the LGBT and HIV communities was through a Health Alert posted on the County Public Health Department?s website last week, directing healthcare providers to notify their clients to get vaccinated.

The Health Alert was passed on to the mainstream media by some LGBT agencies and word was spread through the LGBT press and social media?but to little effect.

Now, officials from the Centers for Disease Control have arrived in L.A. to help investigate the deadly outbreak?the origin of which is still unknown...

 

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Source: http://thepridela.com/2016/07/update-2-new-cases-reported-meningitis-outbreak-24-l-area/

UPDATE: 2 new Meningitis cases added to outbreak total, 24 now reported in SoCal; statewide more than 50 cases reported
July 13, 2016 by thepride
BY TROY MASTERS |

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LAC DPH) has identified a thirteenth case of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) for 2016. The patient, according to a press release from the offices of Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, Deputy Director Acute Communicable Disease Control Program, was diagnosed with meningitis in early July. He is an elderly gay male with a longstanding partner and is is currently hospitalized. He is described as ?recovering,? according to the statement...

 

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Source: http://thepridela.com/2016/07/meningitis-update-cdc-urges-vaccinations-los-angeles-area-gay-men/


Meningitis Update: ?ALL area gay men should be vaccinated,? CDC now says
July 26, 2016 by thepride
BY TROY MASTERS |

The Center?s for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging all gay and bisexual men in the Los Angeles and Orange County area to get vaccinated against Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD). The recommendation comes as the agency undertakes a local area ground investigation into a continued outbreak that is affecting men who have sex men disproportionately.

Previously, LA County Department of Public Health had emphasized HIV positive gay men should be vaccinated...

 

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Source: http://www.smobserved.com/story/201...ak-continues-in-southern-california/1702.html

Meningococcal Disease Outbreak Continues in Southern California
Vaccinations Urged for Gay, Bisexual Men, HIV-Infected Persons
August 4, 2016

SACRAMENTO ? Due to an ongoing outbreak of meningococcal disease in Southern California, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is urging all gay and bisexual men and HIV-infected persons in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties be vaccinated against meningococcal disease.

Since March, 22 cases of meningococcal disease have been confirmed in an outbreak in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, including several cases in the past week. Two other cases are currently under investigation. To date, two patients have died as a result of their infections. Most of the patients have been gay or bisexual men, and while no cases have been reported in San Diego County, health officials are advising gay and bisexual men there to also be vaccinated...

 

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Source: http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-ln-meningitis-20170609-story.html


LOCAL CALIFORNIA
Health officials urge meningitis vaccination amid L.A. Pride festival
Soumya Karlamangla

Los Angeles County health officials on Friday again urged gay and bisexual men to get vaccinated against meningitis, as an outbreak that began last year continues to grow.

Twenty-nine people in the county have been diagnosed with meningitis since March 2016, with the latest case identified a few weeks ago. Earlier this year, one patient died from the infection.

Anyone can contract meningitis, which is transmitted through swapping saliva, like kissing or sharing drinks and cigarettes. It makes people fall suddenly ill and can cause swelling in the brain and spinal cord. The disease can leave people permanently deaf, with brain damage or without limbs. It can kill within a few hours...