Meningitis warning: US sounds alarm over ‘large’ outbreak of ‘devastating’ infection

The outbreak has reportedly been primarily affecting gay, bisexual and other men who have intercourse with men, including those with HIV, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Jill Roberts, from the University of South Florida, told WTSP: “Unfortunately, it seems that was the population that was struck first, and this virus spreads through close prolonged contact.”

She added: “There is nothing special about Neisseria that it particularly wants to spread in that population.”

The CDC is now urging people to get the meningococcal vaccine and have warned of the “large, ongoing” outbreak.

Health chiefs have stressed that it is particularly important for college and university students, people with weakened immune systems (immunocompromised) and people with HIV, to get the jab.

Article source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1594904/meningitis-disease-outbreak-us-florida-meningococcal-hiv-gay-bisexual