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CHICAGO — The Chicago Department of Public Health has issued a new alert following the recent deaths of two individuals from a form of meningitis, local officials announced on Friday.
Health authorities have noted an unusual increase in meningitis cases over the past few months, prompting heightened concern across the community.
The current outbreak is raising alarms about a potential surge in cases of this frequently lethal disease, which is transmitted through saliva.
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Meningitis symptoms can include a distinctive purple rash, severe headache, confusion, a stiff neck, and vomiting.
Once the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, commonly known as meningococcus, enters the bloodstream, it can cause sepsis, which is often fatal.
About 10 to 15% of people die even with antibiotic treatment,” Dr. Marielle Fricchione said. “It’s a very fast moving infection, which makes it really scary for emergency room doctors.”
Dr. Fricchione is a RUSH pediatric infectious disease physician.
“If you lose even a half hour, an hour of time, then that bacteria has a chance to spread throughout your blood and to your brain,” Dr. Fricchione said.
The Chicago Department of Public Health says since January 15, at least seven cases of Neisseria meningitidis in adults have been reported, resulting in two deaths. At least two of the cases were in people living in the same homeless shelter.
Chicago typically sees 10 to 15 such cases per year.
“To have this cluster with two deaths already is pretty concerning,” Dr. Fricchione said.
Though less contagious than flu or the cold, the bacteria can spread through saliva, often in congregate settings.
Dr. Fricchione is the chair of the IIllinois Immunization Advisory Committee and disagrees with the CDC’s recent changes to the childhood vaccine schedule, which no longer recommends broad meningococcal vaccination.
“This is the exact example you’re afraid of,” Dr. Fricchione said. “You get an outbreak in one community, and all of a sudden if you stop vaccinating your teenagers or your college students, that outbreak spreads.”
Doctors say in addition to that high mortality rate, the infection can lead to a loss of hearing and damage to extremities leading to amputation.
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