Health Advisory: CDPH Confirms One New Fatal Case of Invasive Meningococcal Disease

Health Advisory: CDPH Confirms One New Fatal Case of Invasive Meningococcal Disease

(Chicago, IL, October 14, 2016) – The Chicago Department of Public Health today confirmed one new fatal case of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). IMD is a rare communicable bacterial disease that can cause meningitis, a severe disease of the brain and spinal cord, and other potentially fatal conditions. IMD is spread through activities such as sharing drinks, cigarettes, smoking devices or marijuana, and also through kissing and sexual contact. Common symptoms are fever, headache and a stiff neck. Other accompanying symptoms include nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and confusion.

“It’s important to know which areas are impacted by meningitis so we can focus on increasing awareness and prevention in these communities,” said Dr. Maya Green, Site Medical Director for Howard Brown Health 63^rd Street. “In the past, we offered the same vaccine to all students on college campuses and had great success.  This is proof that those of us living or working in at-risk communities should not get scared, we should get educated and get vaccinated.”

Over the past two years, IMD has impacted both women and men in the Chicago area.  In an effort to prevent further spread of IMD, Howard Brown Health is renewing its call for all at-risk communities to be vaccinated.

At-risk communities include:

• Women and men who live or work on the North, South, and West sides of Chicago.
• Men who have sex with men (MSM) who live or work in any Chicago area.

This weekend, Howard Brown Health is partnering with Antioch Missionary Baptist Church (AMBC) in Englewood, and offering free meningitis vaccinations during their 75^th Annual Men’s Day on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 6248 S. Stewart Avenue Chicago, IL 60621 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. More information on AMBC is available at http://www.ambcchicago.org

Read the full statement from CDPH here.

Vaccinations are available for free as part of a primary care visit at all Howard Brown Health clinic locations in Lakeview, Uptown, Rogers Park, and Englewood, as well as at Broadway Youth Center. For a more complete list of locations and hours, see howardbrown.org/health-centers.

Media Inquiries:
Erik Roldan, Communications Manager for Howard Brown Health
312.206.2167, ErikR@howardbrown.org