LA Meningitis Death Not Linked To NYC Outbreak
A 33 year-old lawyer in Los Angeles, Brett Shaad, died from complications of meningitis earlier this month and fears were raised that it was connected to a string of 22 meningitis infections among gay men in the New York City area in the past few years and other infections in the San Diego area more recently.
The outbreak in New York over the last few years has claimed seven lives.
Analysis of the strain that killed Brett Shaad indicated it is unrelated to the bacterial strain found in victims in New York.
"Public Health has not identified any other cases of meningococcal disease associated with this patient, nor identified any linkage between this patient and cases being reported in other areas of the country," the press release from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Department stated.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the health department "do not recommend a vaccination campaign in response to the present situation of meningococcal disease in Los Angeles County." Those who request vaccinations because of concerns can find free options in either Los Angeles or New York City.
So far over 3,000 people have been vaccinated in Los Angeles county in response to fears that the easily transmissible bacteria could infect more.
The report concluded that "a preliminary reading of the genetic fingerprints ... shows it is not highly related to other cases in Los Angeles County, Southern California, or New York City."
A fund has been started in memory of Brett Shaad and can be found here.