The agency is reporting a spike in bacterial infections that can cause potentially life-threatening inflammation in the brain and spinal cord.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory Thursday about a rise in rare but severe forms of meningococcal infections. These bacterial infections can cause potentially life-threatening inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
The spike is notable in part because infections are disproportionately affecting people ages 30 to 60, as well as African American individuals and those with HIV. Typically, infants younger than 1, teenagers and young adults ages 16 to 23 as well as individuals older than 85 have a higher risk of contracting meningococcal disease.The agency says health-care experts should increase monitoring for meningitis symptoms, and the public should take steps to prevent its spread.
“We would like for the general public to be aware of the symptoms of meningococcal disease and to contact their health-care provider if they or members of their family have those symptoms,” she said, adding that officials also “want to make sure that they’re up to date for meningococcal vaccinations.”Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges.
Meningococcal disease is spread through larger droplets, so it’s not as contagious as the common cold or flu, but experts still recommend taking precautions to prevent its spread. Otto Yang, associate chief of infectious diseases at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, said distancing, masking, handwashing and vaccines are the standard prevention methods that should be implemented.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rare meningitis and bloodstream infections on the rise in the US, CDC warnsNicoletta Lanese is the health channel editor at Live Science and was previously a news editor and staff writer at the site. She holds a graduate certificate in science communication from UC Santa Cruz and degrees in neuroscience and dance from the University of Florida.
Read more »
CDC alerts doctors to watch for rare, serious bacterial infection appearing with unusual symptomsHealth officials are alerting doctors to be on the lookout for certain types of rare, serious meningococcal infections that are on the rise in the United States.
Read more »
CDC alerts doctors to watch for rare, serious bacterial infection appearing with unusual symptomsHealth officials are alerting doctors to be on the lookout for certain types of rare, serious meningococcal infections that are on the rise in the U.S.
Read more »
CDC alerts doctors to watch for rare, serious bacterial infection appearing with unusual symptomsHealth officials are alerting doctors to be on the lookout for certain types of rare, serious meningococcal infections that are on the rise in the United States.
Read more »
CDC alerts doctors to watch for rare, serious bacterial infection appearing with unusual symptomsCases are also unusual because they are striking middle-aged adults
Read more »
Measles cases already surpass 2023 numbers, CDC reportsOnce considered eliminated in the U.S. because of wide vaccine availability, measles cases are climbing. By mid-March, the case count for 2024 was higher than last year's total.
Read more »