Deadly Infectious Disease Grips Florida, Threatens Public Health

The CDC advised college and university students, as well as gay and bisexual men living in parts of Florida, to get the MenB or MenACWY vaccine as an outbreak of meningococcal disease takes hold in the area. The disease — caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis — was diagnosed in 26 people, seven of whom died as of June 22, 2022. 

“Getting vaccinated against meningococcal disease is the best way to prevent this serious illness, which can quickly become deadly,” said José R. Romero, MD, and Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, in a CDC press release. “Because of the outbreak in Florida and the number of Pride events being held across the state in coming weeks, it’s important that gay and bisexual men who live in Florida get vaccinated, and those traveling to Florida talk to their healthcare provider about getting a MenACWY vaccine.” 

The serogroup C outbreak in Florida observed in gay and bisexual men has coincided with an unrelated serogroup B outbreak among college and university students in the state. Spread is determined partly by social determinants of health and those most affected are likely to be in prolonged contact with large dense crowds. 

Meningitis is common among college students because of the risk factors leading to a higher rate of shared respiratory secretions. Outbreaks are considered public health emergencies, and clinicians often issue broad-spectrum antibiotics to exposed groups when cases are discovered.  

“It (meningococcal disease) is in a total league of its own,” said Dr. Jill Roberts, Associate Professor for the USF College of Public Health, told ABC news. “70% of people who are untreated will die of the disease. With treatment, 10% will still die of the disease." 

CDC officials recommend the MenACWY vaccine for children and adults at risk for disease. Officials also recommend booster vaccination for people at high risk without a previous immunization within the last five years.  

Symptoms of the meningococcal disease appear quickly and resemble those of influenza. If left untreated, the infection can worsen and lead to death. The quick progression of the disease makes it challenging to treat and explains why 90% of children and teenagers die within 24 hours of diagnosis.  

One of the worst meningitis events in the United States occurred in 2012 when a compounding pharmacist in Massachusetts improperly manufactured and shipped an injectable steroid that infected 753 people with meningitis and killed 64. Current estimates find that 600–1,000 people in the US contract meningococcal disease each year.