Meningitis Alert Issued For New York City Gay Guys and "Men Who Have Sex With Men"

[xchrom]

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2012/09/meningitis_aler.php

The New York City Health Department just issued a health alert for "gay men and men who have sex with men."

We're not experts, but "men who have sex with men" probably would have covered all bases.

Regardless, if you're a man having any type of sex with a man -- gay, bisexual, whatever -- you run the risk of contracting meningitis, according to Health officials.

The Health Department says there have been four cases of the disease in several boroughs, including one fatality, in the past four weeks.

[William769]

1. wow!

Thanks for bring this to our attention, especially if any of our LGBT members are in the area.

[hedgehog]

2. What about women having sex with men?

[MNBrewer]

3. Nothing in this article indicates that the Health Department actually

suspects that it is a disease that was transmitted sexually to the people who contracted it, or even among MSM populations. In four weeks, four gay, HIV + men have contracted meningitis and one has died. But they could have contracted it anywhere! Issuing the alert to men who have sex with men seems to be overwrought! based on this article. It seems to me alerting HIV+ people would be a more rational strategy.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

4. Chicago took this pretty seriously back in 2003.

I stood in line for a vaccination. A bartender where I had been died from the disease.

My partner and I didn't take any chances.

4,000 Vaccinated in Meningitis Scare
2003-10-29
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=1134
Activists, business owners and even party planners all worked together last week to urge community members to get the meningitis vaccine being administered for free by the Chicago Department of Public Health.

With six gay men diagnosed with meningitis by Oct. 10, and three of them dead, the city went into high alert, posting signs in the North Side gay community and rushing orders of vaccine for the strain of meningitis believed to be hitting the gay community.

As of Sunday night when the free vaccination sites closed, more than 14,000 people had received the shot. People who are already sick are urged to contact their physician or go to a hospital.

Gay and lesbian community leaders expressed strong support for the quick reaction by the Health Department. At the Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame, many individuals noted how impressed they were with the professional response by health leaders and workers.

Toronto experienced a similar meningitis cluster among gay men two years ago. For one month, Toronto Public Health and community partners conducted vaccine clinics. Five cases of the disease had been reported, two of which resulted in death.

— Tracy Baim

Here is a more in-depth article. It mentions vaccinations in "cluster outbreaks":

http://www.wctimes.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=1136

[Fearless]

5. Stereotyping much?

Anyone who lives with, comes into duration contact with, or has sex with anyone with meningitis can catch it. It's not about gay men or men "who have sex with men". Everyone is at risk and everyone should be careful.

[SoapBox]

6. Airplane...train...ship...?

Or other close contact, extended situations?

Let's hope for better specifics.