The Chicago Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that two new cases of meningococcal meningitis have been confirmed in Chicago men, bringing the total of confirmed Chicago cases since June to nine, including one death.
All of the cases in the outbreak have been in men who have sex with men.
"Meningitis still poses a serious threat to all men who have sex with men in Chicago and if you have not been vaccinated within the last five years, you could be at risk," said CDPH Commissioner Julie Morita, MD. "We are continuing our partnership with more than 80 community and clinical advocates to provide free and low cost vaccinations to protect our most vulnerable residents."
CDPH also released a health alert to Chicago's medical providers about the recent cases and to remind them of the department's vaccination recommendations for the at-risk community. The department recommends that all HIV-positive men who have sex with men should be administered two doses of the vaccine eight weeks apart.
Sarah Kemble, MD, medical director for CDPH's Communicable Disease Program, said, "The vaccine is safe, effective and available free of charge at CDPH clinics. It is also available at most doctor's offices, clinics and CDPH partner clinics, including many Walgreens, though some partner sites might request a co-pay."
Meningococcal disease is treatable with antibiotics, but even with treatment, one in 10 people who develop it is expected to die from it, according to the CDPH.
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