CLEVELAND — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Health Advisory Alert to health providers warning of an increase in a type of bacterial meningitis known as Neisseria Meningitidis Serogroup Y.
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"One in six individuals have died, and that's extraordinarily high, even for this serious infection," said Dr. Robert Salata, Program Director of University Hospitals Roe Green Center for Travel Medicine and Global Health as well as UH Physician-in-Chief.
The CDC says last year there were 422 cases reported in the U.S., the highest number reported since 2014. So far this year 143 cases have been reported. Most cases happened in Virginia and 63% involved African Americans between the ages of 30 and 60. Meningitis is usually an illness that attacks the young, so the age bracket is unusual as are the symptoms.
"In two-thirds of these cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control, bloodstream infection and even infected joints," Dr. Salata said.
Meningitis spreads through respiratory and/or throat secretions from coughing, sneezing, kissing, sharing utensils or living in close quarters.
It usually presents with fever, headache, stiff neck and a rash, but can quickly evolve within hours to more serious symptoms -- including death -- if it's not treated quickly with antibiotics.
"We want to take the time to alert our physicians and our public out there that this is happening. Most of the cases of deaths have been in Virginia right now, but not so much in Ohio, but that could change. It's important to know it is not only preventable, but treatable," Dr. Salata said.
The meningitis vaccine covers the Y strain and is usually given to kids between 11 and 12, and then again between 16 and 23. It's often a required vaccine for college students who plan to live in dorms. The vaccine can also be given to some people with conditions where they are immunocompromised, such as HIV or if they've had their spleen removed.
Dr. Salata adds that vaccine recommendations may have to change if we begin seeing more cases.
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