The Ministry of Health is advising any gay or bi men heading to New York to get vaccinated against invasive meningococcal disease, following an outbreak. Commonly causing meningitis and also septicaemia, the meningococcal bacteria is spread by close contact, with symptoms including fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck and a rash. Sometimes the disease can be fatal, and in the current outbreak seven men have died, including three of the last five cases. The New York City Health Department has recommended vaccination among all gay and bisexual who are HIV positive, and those “who regularly have close or intimate contact with men met through an online website, digital application (app), or at a bar or party”. The rate of Meningococcal C is currently 60 times higher among gay and bi men in New York than their straight counterparts. The Australasian Society for HIV Medicine has issued guidance for men who have sex with men traveling to New York or Brooklyn. Meningococcal C appears to be responsible for most cases, and vaccines protecting against this are available in New Zealand from GPs. Dr Peter Saxton of the AIDS Epidemiology Group suggests individuals phone ahead and “be prepared to shop around” as the price of Meningococcal C vaccines and surcharges can vary. Dr Kerry Sexton from ESR also notes that younger gay and bi men who may have been vaccinated in the national Meningococcal B campaign in New Zealand several years ago will not be protected from this New York outbreak, unless they also vaccinate against meningococcal group C prior to travelling.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 20th April 2013 - 11:20am