Meningococcal disease in young men of color, Brooklyn, New York

Meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection often called “spinal meningitis” or just “meningitis” by the media. Although it can spread from one person to another it is not as contagious as the popular press makes it out to be. Household members, sexual contacts and persons who share cigarettes or drugs are at the highest risk for catching the disease which is potentially deadly, claiming as much as 20% of victims. There is good news though, there are vaccines for meningococcal disease.

Meningococcal disease can be insidious. Often it looks like the flu at first, with fever, sore throat, chills, muscle pain and just feeling punky. A rash might develop which looks like small red dots that don’t go away when pressed with a finger (known as blanching). If meningitis develops these signs are much easier to recognize: headache, stiff neck, eye sensitivity to light, vomiting and a fogginess of mind. If you have any of these symptoms don’t delay. Especially if you have HIV. Contact your physician. This disease is readily treatable with simple antibiotics.

NYC has had two large outbreaks of meningococcal disease in the last decade. One in 2006 and another in 2011-2013. Both outbreaks were centered in Brooklyn, specifically the neighborhoods of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights and Brownsville. The most recent outbreak affected men who have sex with men (MSM), many of whom were HIV-infected. The outbreak was thought to have been conquered in February 2013 but there have been 4 recent cases in HIV-infected MSM prompting new concerns and efforts to quell the disease. It is not yet known exactly how the disease is moving through the community but there is some evidence to suggest that multiple anonymous sex partners and sharing of drugs is involved.

The response to these outbreaks has been vaccine campaigns. One issue is that the vaccine’s effectiveness in HIV-infected is unknown and two of the recent 4 cases had been vaccinated with the recommended two doses. Still it is better to be vaccinated, as there may be some level of protection and prevention of the most serious outcome. Death.

Another issue is that there is a population of young men who are bisexual or not openly gay who have not gotten the message about vaccine. Many of the recent cases fall into this group. This is where the greater community can help. If you know someone who is at risk for meningococcal disease tell him or her about the vaccine. Urge them to protect themselves. Friends and family want them to stick around, so perhaps they’ll do it for you. One needn’t announce their sexual preferences to receive vaccine. Walgreens/Duane Reade and CVS pharmacies will give the vaccine no questions asked. Check to see that your local pharmacy has it in stock or where the nearest store with the vaccine is located. For those without insurance, you can visit one of the City’s free clinics. The Fort Greene location has Saturday hours. There will be a free vaccine event Sunday (September 7, 2014) at the 3^rd annual Bushwig event. Look for the van near the venue at 389 Melrose Street, Brooklyn.

Lastly, don’t allow fear to paralyze you into inaction.