Page 24 - Florida Sentinel 5-6-22

FYI
Health Departments Warns Of Outbreak Disease, Vaccines
Health Departments in West Central Florida are cur- rently responding to an out- break of meningococcal disease in Florida.
However, it can be pre- vented and treated. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against meningococ- cal disease.
So far, the number of cases identified in 2022 sur- passes the 5-year average of meningococcal disease cases in Florida.
The following groups should consider vaccination with a meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vac- cine during this outbreak:
College and university stu- dents.
Immunocompromised individuals, people living with HIV, Men who have sex with men, people in any groups listed above who re- ceived their MenACWY vac- cine more than 5 years ago.
Find meningococcal vac-
cines, including the Men- ACWY vaccine, by contact- ing a health care provider, county health department, or pharmacy. Your local FDOH offers meningococcal vaccines.
This is a serious disease caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitis.
Fortunately, these bacte- ria are not as contagious as germs that cause the com- mon cold or flu. People do not catch the bacteria through casual contact or by breathing air where someone with meningococ- cal disease has been. It re- quires close contact over a period of time, or direct con- tact such as kissing or shar- ing drinks.
Early symptoms of the dis- ease include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, confusion, and rash.
Anyone who has been ex- posed or develops symptoms should be evaluated by a health care provider imme- diately. This is a rare but po- tentially devastating disease.
For more information about meningococcal dis- ease, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Preven- tion website or the FDOH website or call your local FDOH.
PAGE 12-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2022