Florida Meningococcal Disease Epidemic Grows, C.D.C. Said

So far, 26 cases, including seven deaths, have been identified, mostly in men who have sex with men.

An outbreak of meningococcal disease in Florida has caused at least 26 cases of severe illness, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official said Wednesday. Seven of the cases have been fatal, said Sam Crowe, a C.D.C. epidemiologist.

The epidemic mainly affects men who have sex with men; at least 24 of the cases and six of the deaths involve gay and bisexual men, the agency said in a press release. About half of the cases have occurred in Hispanic men.

New cases are still being reported. The outbreak is "very much in progress", Dr Crowe said.

The disease, which is caused by a bacterium, Neisseria meningitidis, is usually spread through close contact or prolonged, via activities such as kissing. It can manifest as meningitis - an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord - or sepsis, an infection of the bloodstream. The disease remains rare but serious and can cause death "literally overnight," said Jill Roberts, a molecular epidemiologist at the University of South Florida.

"The number of cases is not very high," she added. "However, any case of meningitis is really considered something that we are concerned about."

When caught early, the disease can be treated with antibiotics. It can also be prevented with a vaccine, and health officials are urging at-risk populations, especially men who have sex with men and living in Florida, to get vaccinated.

"We want to make sure that gay and bisexual men are aware of the deadly epidemic in Florida and the ease with which they can protect themselves, namely vaccination," said Dr Crowe.

Vaccination is also often recommended for students and people living with H.I.V. or a weakened immune system.

Although the current epidemic mainly affects men who have sex with men, the disease can affect anyone in close contact with a infected person.

"Anyone can get the disease, regardless of sexual orientation, age or race," said Dr. Crowe.

Florida first notified the C.D.C. about a spike in meningococcal disease in late January, Dr. Crowe said. The state typically sees 20 to 25 cases of the disease per year; So far this year, 44 cases have already been reported in Florida, he said. (Not all of these cases are linked to the current outbreak; a small cluster of unlinked cases occurred among college students in February and March, Dr. Crowe said, and there have been other isolated cases. )

Many recent cases of monkeypox have also been identified in men who have sex with men, but this disease can also affect anyone, regardless of or their sexual orientation. It is essential not to stigmatize men who have sex with men, experts said.

"It is in everyone's interest to ensure that people feel very comfortable coming forward and getting the care they need,” Dr. Roberts said.

The symptoms of meningococcal disease include fever, headache, stiff neck and rash. People who develop these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention, the scientists said.