csraphotography
The US CDC issued a health advisory this week, warning of the growing prevalence of invasive meningococcal disease, a rare but fatal infection that can lead to meningitis.
Attributing the recent increase mainly to the bacterial strain of the Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Yes, the CDC said the United States has already reported 143 cases of invasive meningococcal disease this year, after recording 422 cases last year, the highest annual number since 2014.
The figure marks an increase of 62 cases compared to the same period last year, when 81 cases were reported.
Citing estimates for 2023, the CDC noted that the majority of cases were caused by the meningococcal strain, sequence type 1466, with a huge impact on people aged 30 to 60, black or African-American people, and affected patients. from HIV.
Invasive meningococcal disease is transmitted through contact of saliva and the saliva of an infected individual. It can cause meningitis, an inflammation of the meninges or protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
The CDC has advised health care providers to ensure that people who are recommended meningococcal vaccination receive the latest vaccines against the disease.
In October, the US FDA approved Pfizer’s drug (NYSE:PFE) meningococcal disease vaccine, Penbraya, for adolescents and young adults. The five-in-one vaccine covers the most common serogroups causing meningococcal disease in the age group, including Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y.
Other manufacturers of vaccines targeting meningococcal disease include Sanofi (NASDAQ: SNY) and GSK (NYSE:GSK).