Update on Meningococcal Meningitis Cases

The Continuum of Care recently received a message from Claude-Alix Jacob, Cambridge’s Chief Public Health Officer, addressing concerns some providers may have regarding meningococcal meningitis cases among homeless individuals in Boston:

The Cambridge Public Health Department has reviewed the recent advisories from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) concerning meningococcal meningitis.  This is a life-threatening disease and the cases and their contacts have been carefully evaluated.  At this time, it has been determined that the causative agents do not indicate an outbreak, and therefore, there is no increased risk to the population at-large including the Cambridge shelter population.  As two different bacterial strains are involved, this does not meet the CDC nor the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s definition of an outbreak.

We will continue to monitor the situation and revisit any need for further action.  For more information on meningococcal disease, please see the CDC website:

http://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/index.html

In the meantime, you may direct related questions to the clinical staff at our department (617-665-3800). Susan Breen, RN (senior director, public health nursing services) and Lisa Dobberteen, MD (medical director) are your best resources in case you have additional questions.