CDC investigates 'one of the worst outbreaks of meningococcal disease' in US history among gay and bisexual men in Florida.

The CDC said Thursday there have been 26 cases and seven deaths from meningococcal disease in Florida during the investigation period.

[{"selector":"#anim-4b32b256-7164-4af3-b68e-cff5fa7c62a4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-35.24305544178129%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Among those, 24 cases and six deaths were in men who have sex with men. The CDC says the outbreak is "primarily among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.

[{"selector":"#anim-e5ea1ad8-7146-476d-8e1a-78436a21bc38 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(28.90624987200394%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

There are two ways serious meningococcal infections present. One is meningitis, with classic symptoms of headache, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, and light sensitivity (photophobia).

[{"selector":"#anim-eaa966f1-8a03-4e9b-9066-aafe84d4db55 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(13.687786000678319%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c49d19c5-226c-400a-aeee-c5e34b48ceb0","keyframes":[{"offset":0,"transform":"translate3d(0, -216.84588%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.29,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.45,"transform":"translate3d(0, -60.977061456%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.61,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.71,"transform":"translate3d(0, -20.730466128%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.8,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.85,"transform":"translate3d(0, -7.784767092%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.92,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.96,"transform":"translate3d(0, -3.3827957279999996%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":1,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"}],"delay":0,"duration":1600,"fill":"both"}]

The second is a bloodstream infection from the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, which can be fulminant and lead to shock and death within hours.

[{"selector":"#anim-dc13ca89-c1e3-4e80-926c-8c5f667e268d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(26.90972210844795%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

Meningococcus is transmitted by secretions, such as sharing glasses or a bottle, or by kissing. This is part of why infections are more common among high school/college kids.

[{"selector":"#anim-989cb601-fdbe-4c50-82bd-c14b8828da9f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

"Because of the outbreak in Florida, and the number of Pride events being held across the state in coming weeks, it's important that gay and bisexual men who live in Florida get vaccinated, and those traveling to Florida talk to their healthcare provider about getting a MenACWY vaccine."

[{"selector":"#anim-23e319a4-a259-4cc8-bacc-75b4d3b339db [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]