Virginia declares outbreak of rare and serious disease.

Statewide Outbreak ‍of Meningococcal Disease in Virginia

The Virginia Department of Health​ (VDH) has announced a ‌ statewide outbreak of Meningococcal disease, with recorded infection numbers ⁢ triple⁢ the normal⁣ level.

Meningococcal disease is caused‌ by the bacteria “Neisseria meningitidis type‍ Y” and ⁣can result in infections‍ of ⁤the ‍brain lining,⁤ spinal cord,⁣ and bloodstream. ⁣The ⁢disease can be severe⁢ and even ‌result ‍in death. Twenty-seven cases of the “rare ​but ‌serious” ⁣meningococcal disease have⁤ been reported in⁣ eastern, central, and southwest Virginia since ⁢June 2022, the‍ VDH said in an Aug. 30 ⁣blog post.

“This development is⁣ three times the expected number of cases during this time period. Most cases are residents of eastern Virginia, where ‍a regional outbreak was first announced in September 2022.”

“Five patients have died from complications associated with ⁤this‍ disease. ​The strain associated with this ​outbreak is known to be circulating more widely in ​the United States. Risk⁤ to Virginia’s population is ⁢low.”

Even though VDH has not identified a common ‍risk factor for‍ the​ current spread, testing has confirmed ⁣that incidents are⁢ “highly ‌genetically related.” Most of⁣ the ‌patients were black adults in the ‍age group of 30 to 60 years.

Out ⁣of the 27 ⁣cases of meningococcal disease identified by VDH, ⁤26 were found among people who were not vaccinated against Neisseria meningitidis type Y.

During a 2023​ Immunization Coalition Meningococcal Webinar, Professor⁤ Robert Booy, an‍ infectious diseases expert⁢ at the University of Sydney, Australia, ⁤ suggested that COVID-19 restriction ⁤measures ⁤could be responsible for ⁤the rising ⁢number of​ meningococcal cases.

Mr. Booy⁢ pointed out ⁤that measures like social distancing, masks, and handwashing prevented infections like meningococcal. And because of less contact, “we incurred an immune debt; we weren’t exposed⁤ to all sorts‌ of infections.”

According to the VDH, most of the cases of meningococcal⁤ disease were recorded in the eastern ​United ⁣States,⁣ where 20⁢ out⁢ of the 27 infections were identified. The Southwest​ recorded five cases and the central United⁢ States recorded‍ two. No infections have been reported from the northern or ⁣northwest United States.

“People spread meningococcal bacteria to‍ other people by sharing respiratory‍ and throat secretions ⁤(saliva or spit). Generally, it⁤ takes close (for example, coughing ​or kissing) or lengthy contact to spread these bacteria,” the ⁢CDC stated.

“Fortunately, ‍they are not as contagious ‍as ‌germs that cause the common cold or the flu. People do not‍ catch the bacteria through casual contact⁢ or by breathing air where someone with​ meningococcal disease has‌ been.”

The agency points ​out that people who are in constant ‌contact with an ⁢infected ‌individual, like‌ those living in the same household ⁢and⁤ roommates, are at “increased risk” of ‍getting sick.

Most​ of meningitis infections ⁤are⁣ caused by six types of Neisseria meningitidis—A,⁣ B, C, W, X,​ and Y. ⁢In the United States, it ⁢is the B, C, and Y types that are⁤ responsible for most of the illnesses.

The Illness

The bacteria that causes meningococcal disease is present in around 1 in 10 ​people‍ in ⁢the back of their nose and throat.

The highest rate of meningococcal disease in ‌America is among infants younger than a year ‍old, teens and young adults between the ages ‌of 16 and 23, and adults aged 65 and above.

Certain medical conditions can‌ weaken the immune system, thus putting ⁢some individuals at higher risk of contracting meningococcal disease.⁤ This includes⁤ HIV,⁣ functional and anatomic asplenia, and persistent ⁢c