Officials: Meningitis Cases In HIV Positive Gay Men Under Investigation
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - New York City's Health Department says it's investigating three cases of meningitis that have developed in HIV-positive gay men over the last two weeks.
The department says Friday it's recommending meningitis vaccinations for all men who regularly have intimate contact with other men.
It says men with HIV are at a greater risk of acquiring meningitis.
The department says two cases of the often-deadly disease were reported within the last three days. All of the recent cases were in Brooklyn or Queens, WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported.
A previous meningitis outbreak among gay men ended in February 2013 after 22 cases were reported. Of those, 7 were fatal.
"Unfortunately it looks like that outbreak has come back again," Deputy Health Commissioner, Dr. Jay Varma said.
As Varma explained, meningitis has a safe and available vaccine, and warned those in the targeted population to not take any chances.
"Men who have sex with men who have HIV infections absolutely must go see their doctors and get vaccinated if they haven't already done so," he said.
Early symptoms are similar to the flu, with fever, chills, weakness and muscle aches. It may later include headache, stiff neck, and widespread rash.
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