According to the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), four cases of Neisseria meningitidis infections in adults have been reported since January 15, 2026, two among people living in a temporary homeless shelter.
All developed septicemia; one also had meningitis. Three of four patients were admitted to the ICU with septic shock and one patient died.
Thus far, the two community cases have not been linked epidemiologically to the shelter nor to each other. Investigations are ongoing.
Three of four N. meningitidis isolates are serogroup Y which has been the most common serogroup in Chicago since 2022; the serogroup of the isolate from the second shelter resident is pending.
CDPH has coordinated post-exposure prophylaxis for close contacts. CDPH is providing education and planning vaccination for persons residing in or working at the temporary shelter and the shelter where most residents are transferred.
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) has a case-fatality rate of 10–15% even with appropriate antibiotic treatment.
IMD most often presents as meningitis or septicemia. Symptoms of meningitis include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, or altered mental status; symptoms of bloodstream infections may include fever and chills, fatigue, vomiting, cold hands and feet, severe aches and pains, rapid breathing, diarrhea, or, in later stages, a dark purple rash or necrotic digits.
While initial symptoms of meningococcal disease can be non-specific, they can worsen rapidly, and the disease can become life-threatening within hours. Effective antibiotics should be administered promptly to patients suspected of having meningococcal disease due to risk of severe morbidity and death. Survivors may experience long-term effects such as deafness or amputations of the extremities.
N. meningitidis is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory secretions; kissing partners, those in the same household, and roommates are examples of close contacts indicated for postexposure prophylaxis (Chemoprophylaxis with rifampin, ciprofloxacin, or ceftriaxone is 90–95% effective and should be administered to eligible contacts within 24 hours of identification of index patient).
Providers should continue to offer MenACWY vaccines to all patients at age 11 or 12, with a booster dose at 16 years. Teens and young adults (16 through 23 years old) may also get a MenB vaccine.
Patients with certain risk factors may also be indicated for vaccination.
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J aimerais m abonner que pour 1 an ..est ce possible?
Merci