LOS ANGELES: Vaccinations Urged For Gay Men After Three Meningitis Deaths

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today urged that gay and bisexual men be vaccinated for meningitis. Eight cases of meningitis have been reported in the Los Angeles area since the start of the year and there have been three deaths.

All men who have sex with men, whether or not they identify as gay or bisexual and "regardless of HIV status, who regularly have close or intimate contact with multiple partners, or who seek partners through the use of digital applications, particularly those who share cigarettes, marijuana or use illegal drugs, should visit their health provider to be vaccinated against invasive meningococcal disease," department director Dr. Jonathan Fielding said in a statement. The county will provide free vaccinations for patients without health insurance, starting on April 3, he added. Those interested can call 211 or visit the department's website to get a listing of provider clinics.

Investigators have found "commonalities" in four of the latest cases. This outbreak cluster apparently includes the three fatalities.

The department said that in contrast to investigations of illnesses in 2012 and 2013, "commonalities were found" among the four cases in men who have sex with men this year: Three lived or socialized in the West Hollywood and North Hollywood areas and three were 27-28 years of age. The fourth meningitis patient was 50 years old, the department reported. Invasive meningococcal disease stems from a rare bacterial infection that can spread to the blood, brain or spinal cord and can affect the entire body -- sometimes causing death. It is spread by close exposure to sneezing or coughing or direct contact with saliva or nose mucus -- though it's less contagious than influenza, the health department said.

From the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center:

“Invasive meningococcal disease is very serious and potentially deadly,” says Center Medical Director Dr. Robert Bolan. “We’re concerned there have been four reported cases among gay and bisexual men in just the first three months of this year and that the county is reporting commonalities among some of the cases. Though it’s important to note that IMD is not spread by casual contact, such as being in the same room with someone who may be infected, I encourage gay and bisexual men—regardless of their HIV status, but especially those who are HIV-positive—to get vaccinated. It’s possible that people who are HIV-positive, and gay men in general, may be at greater risk of infection.”

Three of the eight reported Los Angeles area cases have occurred in HIV+ men. Reports do not say whether any of those three cases are among the fatalities.

RELATED: Beginning in the fall of 2012, New York City experienced an outbreak of meningitis that included cases among gay and bisexual men. At least seven deaths resulted. City and state departments of public health reacted aggressively, launching vaccination campaigns that were praised by local activists. Those vaccination campaigns were declared a success in August 2013 following six months of no new reported cases, but not before the likes of World Net Daily, David Barton, and Scott Lively had declared that God was using meningitis to punish gay men.

NEW YORK: Meningitis Outbreak Subsides

The aggressive meningitis vaccination campaigns by the state and New York City appear to be working.

The outbreak cast a pall over gay night life in the city, and raised fears among gay men traveling to and from New York that they might catch the casually transmissible and highly lethal disease. Twenty-two men have been infected and about a third of them — seven — have died since 2010, with the numbers accelerating last fall and early this year.

But the last case was in mid-February, the longest interval without a new case since January 2012. City health officials feared that the infection, which attacks the lining of the brain and spinal cord and can be transmitted through kissing and even sharing a glass, might flare during crowded gay pride events in late June. But that did not come to pass.

“We think that because we’ve had no cases in six months, we have to conclude that enough of the population has been vaccinated to provide protection at least for now,” Dr. Jay K. Varma, the city’s deputy commissioner of disease control, said this week. “Whether or not this provides protection for several years is something that we’ll have to see.”

Vaccinations will be available through pharmacies in November.

NY OK's Pharmacy Meningitis Shots

Via press release:

Last night, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed into law State Senator Brad Hoylman’s (D -Manhattan) and State Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell’s (D-Manhattan) legislation to expand access to meningitis vaccines in the midst of an alarming and deadly outbreak of the disease among men who have sex with men (MSM).

According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), 22 cases of meningitis among MSM have been reported since 2010, including 17 cases since 2012, seven of which were fatal. The legislation (S.4881A/A.7324A) authorizes licensed pharmacists who have received additional certification, as well as certified nurse practitioners, to administer meningococcal vaccinations to adults 18 years of age and older.

“I am grateful to Governor Cuomo for signing this potentially life-saving bill into law,” said Senator Hoylman. “Allowing pharmacists to administer the meningitis vaccine will help us stop a wider outbreak of this deadly disease, which had evolved into a serious public health concern for New York’s LGBT community. The best way to prevent illness and death from meningitis is to be vaccinated. As we've seen with the flu vaccine, when pharmacists have the authority to administer a vaccine, immunization rates increase.”

I remain very impressed with both the state's and NYC's aggressive handling of this issue.  Have you been vaccinated?

New York City Issues Meningitis Warning To Gay Pride Weekend Visitors

New York City is advising those planning to visit for gay pride to ask their doctors about a meningitis vaccination. Seven gay men have died since the outbreak began.

“It would be reasonable for people traveling to New York City and participating in the events to talk to their doctors about whether or not they might benefit from vaccinations,” Dr. Jay Varma, deputy commissioner for disease control in the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene told NBCNews.com. The city saw one case in 2010, 4 cases in 2011, and 13 in 2012. In October of last year, New York mounted a vaccine campaign targeting gay media, bars, and communities. The drive seems to have succeeded. Although four cases were reported to authorities earlier this year, there have been no cases in the last four months, Varma said.

Scott Lively: God Sent Meningitis

Posted to Lively's Defend The Family site. Source.

World Net Daily On Meningitis Outbreak

Here's how World Net Daily is characterizing the meningitis outbreak.

“Gay” sex is becoming even more dangerous. Health officials are warning sexually active “gay” men about an outbreak of potentially deadly bacterial meningitis in Los Angeles and New York. The disease has infected 22 people in New York and caused seven deaths since 2010. Health officials in Los Angeles are testing to see if the strain infecting “gay” men there is the same one hitting New York. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation began offering free meningitis vaccines today after a “gay” man from West Hollywood was declared brain dead on Friday.

Loving "Christians" are pouring into the comments to express their usual satisfaction. One suggests that gay men should "go cough on Obozo." Another: "I can hope that our gay president might be already exposed."

Free Meningitis Vaccinations In LA

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has announced that they will offer free meningitis vaccinations to gay men in the Los Angeles area. Via press release:

In response to cases of bacterial meningitis among men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) that has affected men in Los Angeles and New York, AIDS Healthcare Foundation will offer free meningitis vaccines starting Monday, April 15th at its AHF Pharmacy locations in West Hollywood (8212 Santa Monica Blvd.) and Hollywood (6210 Sunset Blvd.) and its AHF Hollywood Men’s Wellness Center (1300 N. Vermont Ave.) to anyone who thinks that they are at risk or have had exposure. The vaccine protocol involves one dose for HIV negative individuals, and one plus a booster at eight weeks for HIV positive people.

WeHo Gay Man Brain Dead Of Meningitis

West Hollywood resident Brett Shaad was declared brain dead yesterday afternoon after suffering a fast-moving bacterial meningitis infection, prompting fears that the outbreak currently hitting New York City's gay men has spread to the west coast. Karen Ocamb reports at Frontiers:

The 33 year old West Hollywood resident was a lawyer, a real estate broker and very popular among his friends, many of whom surrounded his bed at Cedar Sinai Hospital in shock and disbelief. “Last weekend I was with him at a local restaurant on Santa Monica Boulevard,” said West Hollywood Councilmember John Duran at a news conference about the meningitis scare. “He was tall and muscular, robust, looking as fit as a fiddle and we notified on Wednesday he was at Cedars and then yesterday, he was in a coma. And now he’s going to be removed from life support.”

The city of West Hollywood has issued an "urgent warning."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been alerted about a Los Angeles County case of meningococcal infection. Tests are being conducted to determine the imprint of this strain, which is not a new one. There may be similarities to an especially deadly strain of meningococcal infection found recently in New York that has resulted in twenty-two cases, including ten fatalities since 2010. The outbreak in New York City involved a strain circulating among men who have sex with men and may be transmitted during intimate encounters including sex.

Saying that the Los Angeles Department of Health is "dragging its feet," yesterday West Hollywood Councilman John Duran said that on Monday he will introduce a measure to provide a $20,000 fund for vaccines for the uninsured.

RELATED: Earlier this month the New York State Department of Health issued a statewide call for all gay men to be vaccinated against meningitis.

NEW YORK: Meningitis Warning Expands, Vaccinations Suggested For All Gay Men

Last week the New York state Department of Health expanded earlier warnings about the ongoing meningitis outbreak. The DOH now recommends that all sexually active gay men in the state be vaccinated. Vaccinations were previously only suggested for HIV+ men in some parts of Brooklyn.

Meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection of the bloodstream. Common symptoms include high fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck, and a rash. Symptoms may occur two to 10 days after exposure, but usually within five days.

Since 2010, 22 men residing in NYC and one man who resides outside the City, but spent significant time there, have become ill in this outbreak, seven have died. The recommendation by DOH has been expanded to include MSM residing outside NYC who have traveled to the City and engaged in the risk behaviors described below since September 1, 2012.

The following groups were identified by NYCDOHMH as being at highest risk of IMD and are being advised to obtain a quadravalent meningococcal vaccination: All HIV-infected MSM, MSM, regardless of HIV status, who regularly have close or intimate sexual contact with men met through an online website, digital application ("app"), or at a bar or party.

Perhaps obviously, the updated warning does not include men in monogamous relationships.  Click on the meningitis label in this post for previous updates.

NEW YORK CITY: Meningitis Vaccinations Suggested For All Gay & Bisexual Men

New York City's continuing meningitis outbreak, which has now seen seven fatalities, has prompted the Department of Health to suggest vaccinations for all gay and bisexual men who hook up via social media or at bars, etc. Previously vaccinations had been suggested primarily for HIV+ men in some areas of Brooklyn.  Via press release:

The Health Department issued new recommendations today for vaccinating against invasive meningococcal disease – commonly known as meningitis – after an increase in cases. Vaccinations are now advised for men, regardless of HIV status, who regularly have intimate contact with other men met through a website, digital application (“App”), or at a bar or party.

Four new cases of meningitis among men who have sex with men have been reported since the beginning of January, bringing the total to 17 cases since 2012. There have been 22 reported cases – including seven fatal cases – since 2010.

“Meningitis symptoms usually come on quickly, and the disease can be fatal if not treated right away,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley. “Vaccination is the best defense. I urge all men who meet these criteria – regardless of whether they identify as gay – to get vaccinated now and protect themselves from this disease before it is too late.”

Five members of the City Council and Speaker Christine Quinn yesterday urged the constituents of their districts to take heed.

From The NYC Department Of Health

After several new cases of meningitis among gay men, the NYC Department of Health has issued the above notice and this message:

The Health Department continues to recommend vaccinations for any New York City man who is HIV-positive and has had intimate contact with another man that he met through a website, digital application, or at a bar or party since September 1, 2012. In addition, vaccinations are now advised for men, regardless of HIV status, who have had intimate contact with another man that he met through a website, digital application, or at a bar or party since September 1, 2012 AND live in the following neighborhoods: Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Bushwick, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Dumbo, East New York, Prospect Heights and Williamsburg.

NYC Steps Up Meningitis Warning

Yesterday the New York City Department of Health issued a stronger warning about the ongoing rash of meningitis cases among gay men. Their latest recommendation includes a directive that all at-risk gay men in much of Brooklyn, not just the HIV+, should be vaccinated. Via press release:

Meningococcal vaccine should be offered to HIV-infected men who are New York City residents and who report intimate contact with a man met either through an online website, digital application ("app"), or at a bar or party since September 1, 2012. Meningococcal vaccine should now also be offered to men who have sex with men, regardless of HIV status, if they live in specific areas of Brooklyn (Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Bushwick, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Dumbo, East New York, Prospect Heights, and Williamsburg) and report intimate contact with a man met either through an online website, digital application ("app"), or at a bar or party since September 1, 2012.

Last month the city began offering free vaccinations to high-risk HIV+ gay men in all five boroughs.  There have been at least four deaths since the outbreak began early this fall.