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The US CDC issued a health advisory this week, warning of a growing prevalence of invasive meningococcal disease, a rare but fatal infection that can cause meningitis.
Attribute the recent rebound mainly to the bacterial strain Neisseria meningitidis serogroup And, the CDC said the U.S. 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 most cases were caused by the meningococcal strain, sequence type 1466, with an enormous impact on people between 30 and 60 years old, black or African-American people, and patients with HIV.
Invasive meningococcal disease is transmitted through contact with the saliva and saliva of an infected individual. It can cause meningitis, an inflammation of the meninges or the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.
The CDC advised healthcare providers to ensure that people Recommended for meningococcal immunization should receive the latest vaccines against the disease.
In October, the US FDA approved Pfizer's drug (New York Stock Exchange:PFE) meningococcal disease vaccine, Penbraya, for adolescents and young adults. The five-in-one vaccine covers the most common serogroups that cause meningococcal disease in the age group, including Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y.
Other manufacturers of meningococcal disease vaccines include Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) and GSK (New York Stock Exchange:GSK).
