Forwarded by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Forwarded by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
CDC Health Advisory:
Increase in Invasive Serogroup Y Meningococcal Disease in the United States
March 28, 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is notifying clinicians about an increase in invasive meningococcal disease, mainly attributable to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y. In 2023, 422 cases were reported in the United States, the highest annual number of cases reported since 2014. As of March 25, 2024, 143 cases have been reported to CDC for the current calendar year, an increase of 62 cases over the 81 reported as of this date in 2023. A specific meningococcal strain, sequence type (ST) 1466, is responsible for most (101 of 148, 68%) serogroup Y cases with available sequence type data that were reported across the United States in 2023. Cases caused by this strain are disproportionately occurring in people ages 30–60 years (65%), Black or African American people (63%), and people with HIV (15%). In addition, most cases of invasive meningococcal disease caused by ST-1466 in 2023 had a clinical presentation other than meningitis: 64% presented with bacteremia, and at least 4% presented with septic arthritis. Of 94 patients with known outcomes, 17 (18%) died; this case-fatality rate is higher than the historical case-fatality rate of 11% reported for serogroup Y cases in 2017–2021.
Healthcare providers should 1) have a heightened suspicion for meningococcal disease, particularly among populations disproportionately affected by the current increase, 2) be aware that patients may present without symptoms typical of meningitis, and 3) ensure that all people recommended for meningococcal vaccination, including people with HIV, are up to date for meningococcal vaccines.
Local Reporting and Public Health Response
Healthcare providers and laboratories must report all suspect and confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) to LAC DPH immediately. Suspect cases include those with clinical suspicion of IMD or evidence of gram-negative diplococci on gram stain. Laboratory confirmation is not required to report. LAC DPH conducts case and contact investigations for suspect meningococcal disease cases in Los Angeles County. Preventive antibiotics are provided to close contacts of IMD cases.
Contact Information for Questions and Reporting:

Los Angeles County DPH Acute Communicable Disease Control:
  • Weekdays 8:30 am–5:00 pm: call 213-240-7941.
  • After-hours: call 213-974-1234 and ask for the physician on call.
Long Beach Health and Human Services:
  • Weekdays 8:00 am-5:00 pm: call 562-570-4302.
  • After hours: call the duty officer at 562-500-5537.
Pasadena Public Health Department:
  • Weekdays 8:00 am-5:00 pm: call 626-744-6089.  
  • After hours: call 626-744-6043.
Read the CDC Health Advisory
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