Better Public Health Response is Needed to Address Meningococcal Disease
The 2022 meningococcal disease outbreak in Florida needs a direct and actionable public health response. The 53 cases identified this year have already far surpassed the five-year average. Worse, seven deaths have been reported. Florida Health Department public health outreach has been woefully non-responsive to the health needs of gay and bisexual men and transgender individuals. Florida Health Department has made only one social media post on the outbreak and has not engaged in any campaigns to spread awareness.
Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. This disease is fatal in about 70% of untreated cases and can cause lifelong physical damage such as hearing loss, seizures, and loss of limb. Even with antibiotic treatment, 10–15% of people who get meningococcal disease will die. The following groups have been most affected during this outbreak and are recommended to be vaccinated: men who have sex with men, immunocompromised individuals including those living with HIV, college and university students, and anyone in those groups who received their meningitis vaccine more than five years ago.
Florida is currently burdened with two types of meningitis: B, which is often found in college campuses and other places of close-quarter living; and C, which is spreading among men who have sex with men. Immunocompromised individuals, those in student housing, and men who have sex with men are at particular risk and should be provided resources for vaccination.
In the era of COVID-19, our public health systems should be more than capable of disseminating vital health information. Now with a parallel outbreak and international emergency on monkeypox spreading through some of the same communities through similar modes of transmission, swift public health outreach and action is imperative.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation is the largest provider of HIV/AIDS services in the United States. In Florida, AHF provides comprehensive prevention, testing, and treatment services for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections across the state. The Florida Department of Health must work with community organizations like AHF to respond to this outbreak of meningococcal disease as a crisis and help Floridians reduce their risk through prevention efforts and vaccination.
