Neisseria Meningitidis Image credit Wikimedia commons
Three cases of invasive bacterial meningococcal disease in Toronto have been confirmed by the Toronto Public Health (TPH).
Of the three individuals between 20 and 30 years old born outside of Canada in countries not providing childhood immunization against meningococcal disease, one has died.
All three individuals have recently been confirmed to have the same rare strain of serogroup C meningococcal disease.
TPH has not been able to identify a link between these cases.
It is recommended that adults between 20 and 36 years old who have not received a meningococcal disease vaccine should contact their health care provider to receive a meningococcal disease vaccine as soon as possible. TPH will monitor vaccine demand and is actively exploring additional vaccination channels.
Meningococcal illness is caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitides. Often severe, these illnesses can be deadly and include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream. Anyone experiencing symptoms of fever, aches, joint pain, headache, stiff neck, and photophobia, should call your health care provider.
Sharing respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit) are the main causes of spreading meningococcal bacteria to other people.
The best protection against meningococcal disease is keeping up to date with recommended vaccines.
#Meningococcaldisease; #TorontoPublicHealth
