The County has partnered with local agencies to offer free and low-cost vaccinations and encouraged individuals who are at-risk to get vaccinated.
Meningococcal disease is caused by a strain of bacteria known as the Neisseria Meningitides, according to the County’s website. The County noted that most people may be familiar with meningococcal meningitis, also called meningitis.Â
“Public Health continues to work every day to protect health and stop the spread of this fatal disease,” said Dr. Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, who serves as interim health officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “Vaccination is the best way to prevent the disease. The County is committed to developing a comprehensive vaccination campaign to protect all persons who are at risk.”
The County’s public-health department reported that the at-risk population includes individuals who are infected with HIV; gay men and men who have sex with men (MSM)— regardless of HIV status— who have multiple partners or who share cigarettes or marijuana.
According to a press release offered by LA County, eight out of the 17 patients diagnosed with invasive meningococcal disease have identified themselves as gay or bisexual men. These figures include those cases reported by the City of Long Beach, which has its own public-health department.
John Holguin, a spokesman for the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, said in a phone interview last week that there have been five individuals Who have been diagnosed with meningitis since January, including two Who have self-identified as gay men in Long Beach.
County officials and spokespeople for other local agencies which serve the LGBTQ community addressed the concern that the disease has particularly affected the gay male population.
“The recent outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease in Los Angeles reminds us that, even though the number of cases is still small, gay and bisexual men continue to be infected at a higher rate than the general population,” said Los Angeles LGBT Center Medical Director Robert Bolan in the statement released by LA County. “HIV-infected individuals also appear to be at higher risk. To clear up any ambiguity, we think the message should be simple. If you are a gay or bisexual man or a transgender individual, you should receive the meningococcal vaccination. HIV-uninfected individuals only need a single dose of the vaccine.”
The disease can be spread through saliva, and the County has warned on its website against sharing toothbrushes, glasses and cigarettes and against having multiple kissing partners.
The Student Health Services Department of Calif. State University Long Beach (CSULB) noted on its website that meningitis is an infection of the fluid around spinal cord and brain. CSULB reported that the usual symptoms include “high fever, headaches, neck stiffness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, lethargy and/or rashes.” The university warned its students about the seriousness of the disease.
“Anyone with similar symptoms should contact a physician immediately,” officials wrote on its Student Health Services web page. “If not treated within hours of the onset of symptoms, the disease can progress rapidly.”
While gay men/MSMs and individuals with HIV are among the individuals Who are at risk for meningitis, certain students living in close quarters on campus at Cal State are also specifically urged to get vaccinated.
“The vaccine is recommended for all CSULB students and mandatory for students living in residence halls,” university officials said on its website. “The vaccine is recommended for adolescents entering high school (if not received as a child), and college freshmen living in dormitories by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.”
The vaccine is $113 at the CSULB’s Student Health Services, according to its website. There are a few local places where vaccinations are available in the local area. (See below for more information)
More Information
Vaccination sites
APLA Health & Wellness
Long Beach Health Center
1043 Elm Ave., Suite 302, Long Beach, CA 90813
(562) 432-0700
AHF Wellness Centers – Long Beach
3500 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, CA 90804
(562) 494-4983
City of Long Beach Department of Health & Human Services – Immunization Clinic
2525 Grand Ave., Long Beach, CA 90815
Appointment Line: (562) 570-4315
