Virginia Declares Statewide Meningococcal Outbreak: 27 Cases, 5 Deaths Reported

Meningococcal disease is a rare but deadly bacterial infection that can cause meningitis. The state of Virginia is issuing a statewide meningococcal disease outbreak alert.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), there have been 27 instances of the disease recorded in eastern, central, and southwest Virginia since June 2022, which is three times the anticipated number of occurrences in that period.

The majority of cases have been documented in eastern Virginia, and the VDH first declared a regional outbreak there in September 2022.

Five patients have passed away overall as a result of meningococcal disease complications, according to the organization.

The instances are closely related genetically, according to the VDH’s analysis of the patients’ DNA.

Neisseria meningitidis is the bacteria that causes meningococcal illness.

Meningococcal Disease: How it Spreads and Symptoms

virginia-declares-statewide-meningococcal-outbreak-27-cases-5-deaths-reported — Meningococcal disease is a rare but deadly bacterial infection that can cause meningitis.

When people cough, kiss, or share cups or utensils, meningococcal disease can be transmitted through respiratory and throat secretions. The CDC noted that it is not as contagious as the cold or flu.

Brain and spinal cord swelling is brought on by the bacteria when the illness progresses to meningitis.

Flu-like symptoms, headaches, and stiff necks are common. According to the CDC, some people may also develop dizziness, light sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting.

According to the CDC website, the bacteria can also result in meningococcal septicemia, a potentially fatal bloodstream infection that can cause bleeding into the skin and internal organs.

Fever, chills, exhaustion, nausea, excruciating muscle pain, diarrhea, rapid breathing, and a rash that is dark purple can all be signs of this infection.

A lumbar puncture, commonly referred to as a spinal tap, is used to diagnose the condition by testing samples of the cerebrospinal fluid for the bacteria.

Patients need to start receiving antibiotics right away, according to the CDC. Severe cases may also need blood pressure drugs, breathing assistance, wound care for injured skin, or surgical removal of dead tissue.

Long-term disabilities include brain damage, hearing loss, limb amputations, or issues with the neurological system will affect one in every five persons.