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2 dead as Hampton Roads faces outbreak of disease linked to meningitis and sepsis, health department says
By Caitlyn Burchett
The Virginian-Pilot
Sep 23, 2022 at 5:10 pm
Two people have died in Virginia from complications of meningococcal disease — which is linked to meningitis and sepsis — as Hampton Roads faces what health officials say is a “community outbreak” of the disease.
The Virginia Department of Health reported six cases of the disease between June and August. The illness can lead to infections in the brain, spinal cord and bloodstream, which may prove fatal.
“We suspect the cases are connected by asymptomatic community transmission,” said Colin Greene, state health commissioner for the department.
According to Greene, “several” of the patients are Norfolk residents, with additional cases detected in other Hampton Roads cities. The “majority” of the case patients are Black adults between 30 and 40 years of age. Five of those people were not vaccinated against meningitis, and one is partially vaccinated. Greene did not specify the vaccination status of the two people who died.
The bacteria that causes the disease is typically spread by coughing or kissing, but it can be spread due to close or lengthy contact with a meningococcal disease patient...
By Caitlyn Burchett
The Virginian-Pilot
Sep 23, 2022 at 5:10 pm
Two people have died in Virginia from complications of meningococcal disease — which is linked to meningitis and sepsis — as Hampton Roads faces what health officials say is a “community outbreak” of the disease.
The Virginia Department of Health reported six cases of the disease between June and August. The illness can lead to infections in the brain, spinal cord and bloodstream, which may prove fatal.
“We suspect the cases are connected by asymptomatic community transmission,” said Colin Greene, state health commissioner for the department.
According to Greene, “several” of the patients are Norfolk residents, with additional cases detected in other Hampton Roads cities. The “majority” of the case patients are Black adults between 30 and 40 years of age. Five of those people were not vaccinated against meningitis, and one is partially vaccinated. Greene did not specify the vaccination status of the two people who died.
The bacteria that causes the disease is typically spread by coughing or kissing, but it can be spread due to close or lengthy contact with a meningococcal disease patient...
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