The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) As a strain of meningococcal disease begins to spread across the United States, health care providers are alerted to bacterial infections.
Meningococcal disease is a disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. A serious infection is commonly called when the disease has severe symptoms, including death Meningitis It can form in the lining of the brain and spinal cord and blood vessels CDC.
In warning, the CDC explained that a variant of Neisseria meningitis serogroup Y has reported 140 cases so far in 2024. Although meningitis usually affects children and young adults, this thread targets adults between the ages of 30 and 60. People at higher risk of developing this type of meningitis are black or African American, or those with HIV.
Six types of meningitis serogroups are known: A, B, C, W, X, and Y. The CDC says the four most common in the United States are B, C, W, and Y.
Since 2014, the highest number of cases has been reported from type Y, with 422 cases in 2023, according to the CDC.
Additionally, the state of Virginia is currently dealing with a statewide outbreak from meningococcal disease type Y. As of June 2022, “there have been 35 confirmed cases of meningococcal disease associated with this outbreak, including 6 deaths”. Virginia Department of Health.
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Types of meningococcal disease
Two types of infection can occur from meningococcal disease. According to the CDC, they are meningococcal meningitis and meningococcal septicemia (aka meningococcemia), a bloodstream infection.
Here are the symptoms to look out for in both infections:
Symptoms of Meningitis
- fever
- headache
- Stiff neck
- Nausea
- vomiting
- Photophobia
- Altered mental state
Symptoms of meningococcal bloodstream infection
- Cold hands and feet
- diarrhea
- Fever and chills
- Fatigue
- Rapid breathing
- Severe aches and pains
- vomiting
In advanced stages of infection, a dark purple rash appears.
Ahjane Forbes is a reporter for the National Celebrity Group in America Today. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Send her an email [email protected]. Follow her Instagram, texts And X @forbesfineest.
