No Link Between Meningitis Outbreak in New York and Los Angeles Say Health Officials

Concern has been raised over possible meningitis outbreaks in Los Angeles and New York City, but health officials are stating that there is no connection between them. 

There have been concerns raised between a meningitis outbreak that has occurred in New York, infecting as many as two dozen people and resulting in the deaths of seven, and a death caused by meningitis in LA County. A recent press release from Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has announced the findings of its investigation into the death of Brett Shaad who passed away as a result of meningococcal meningitis. The findings stated that Public Health "has not identified any other cases of meningococcal disease associated with this patient nor identified any linkage between this patient and cases being reported in other areas of the country."

The primary concern was the possible link between an outbreak in Los Angeles and the meningitis outbreak in New York City that has claimed the lives of seven men over the last two years.

The possibility of an outbreak in Los Angeles led to groups, and eventually local health officials, providing residents with meningitis vaccines. City Councilman John Duran and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation strongly urged for vaccination, which was provided to over 3,000 people during the initiative.

For those concerned about contracting meningitis in Los Angeles or New York City you can learn more about the issue in this NBC News article.

Students Required to Receive Meningitis Vaccine

Tennessee was one of the hardest hit states by the fungal meningitis outbreak, leading to the passing of the Jacob Nunley Act requiring students a public colleges to be vaccinated for meningitis. 

During the meningitis outbreak Tennessee was one of the states hardest hit; [1] of the 730 cases of meningitis across the United States, Tennessee reported 150 cases of meningitis with only Michigan having more cases at 259. As a result of the number of cases that were experienced in Tennessee the "Jacob Nunley Act" was brought before the Tennessee House of Representatives.

The "Jacob Nunley Act," named after Jacob Nunley, a student at Middle Tennessee State University who lost his life as a result of the meningitis outbreak, will require that studetns at public universities and colleges will be required to receive a vaccination for meningococcal disease. This measure will not extend to any private universities, however. [2]

After being approved by the state Senate, the state House of Representatives approved the measure with only one dissenting vote. In states that were equally hard hit such as Michigan, Indiana, Virginia, and New Jersey a similar law may be proposed in order to protect students.

Bacterial meningitis can be spread through respiratory droplets because bacteria that cause meningitis often colonize in the throat and nose. Viral meningitis can be spread in the same manner as well as through fecal-oral routes. As a result of many college students living in close proximity to one another in on-campus dorm rooms or off-campus apartment complexes, the spread of meningitis can be more virulent, even though those that are at potential danger for spreading of the disease are those that live or work within roughly three feet.

[1] http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis-map-large.html
[2] http://www.insidevandy.com/news/article_aa63c30c-9ce2-11e2-a152-0019bb30f31a.html