Outbreaks in Orange County prompts community leaders to raise concern – Orlando Sentinel

Three infectious diseases are spreading throughout Central Florida, leading one Orlando state legislator to call Orange County an epicenter for outbreaks in the state.

Cases of meningococcal disease, monkeypox and hepatitis A are rising throughout the region, particularly among young gay and bisexual men, prompting state and health officials to hold a virtual public health discussion Tuesday evening.

At the event, Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, said “we know Orange County has been almost at the epicenter, at least specifically for the meningococcal disease outbreak.”

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with the Florida Department of Health found 26 cases and seven deaths from meningococcal disease in the state.

Among those, 24 cases and six deaths were men who engaged in sex with other men.

The CDC called the outbreak in Florida one of the worst cases among gay and bi-sexual men in U.S. history, Guillermo Smith said.

There are 14 confirmed or probable cases of meningococcal disease and five confirmed or probable cases of monkeypox in Orange County, according to Orange County Department of Health epidemiologist, Alvina Chu.

“Although [14 meningococcal cases] may not seem like a large number, all of these cases have been hospitalized and unfortunately three of these patients have died,” Chu said. “Although it may not seem like there’s large effect, there can be serious consequences.”

None of the five Mokeypox cases in Orange County have led to hospitalizations thus far, she said.

These two outbreaks have disproportionately affected gay males, Chu said “so we’ve been collaborating with our community partners to provide health education about the outbreak, the diseases and vaccinations for prevention at community outreach events.”

The department has given over 600 doses of the meningococcal vaccines at community events.

As of now, the monkeypox vaccine is only being distributed to persons who have a high risk or known exposure to a confirmed case of monkeypox.

“We’re hoping that the supply will soon be more readily available so that we can continue to offer the vaccine to those who are at high risk,’ Chu said.

At the discussion, Orange County Health Director Dr. Raul Pino said meningococcal disease is “an aggressive infectious disease, that if untreated in many cases could develop into poor health outcomes and death.”

“The good news about meningococcal disease is if it’s treated appropriately and on time, all those bad outcomes can be prevented,” he said.

The disease is highly preventable through vaccination. Those who want to take precautions or are traveling to Florida should talk to their healthcare provider about getting a MenACWY vaccine, experts said.

Meningococcal disease can lead to a bloodstream infection or meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. More than one out of 10 people who catch the disease will die, even with treatment, and as many as one in five may face complications such as brain damage or limb loss, the CDC says on its website.

Pino said the bacteria that causes the illness grows in the upper respiratory tract and is transmitted by droplets.

Although it is not as contagious as the germs that cause a cold or flu, it can still spread through close or lengthy contact, especially in enclosed areas like college campus housing and senior living communities.

Pino said symptoms normally develop in three to four or five days and can feel like a sudden onset of fever, muscle aches and headache. The neck is also known to become stiff and symptomatic people may also be very sensitive to light.

People who are experiencing these symptoms or believe they have been exposed to meningococcal disease should immediately seek care as they normally seek care.

Monkeypox is a rare disease that was previously found mostly in Africa when first discovered in 1958. This year, however, the virus has started to spread to other areas around the world.

The main symptom is a painful rash that can grow into blisters and lasts for several weeks. It can appear on the face, inside the mouth, or on other parts of the body, according to the CDC. An infected individual may also feel symptoms similar to a cold or flu.

The virus can spread from one individual to another by coming into direct contact with rash, scabs or bodily fluids. It also can spread through surfaces or prolonged face-to-face contact.

“Monkeypox is rarely fatal,” Pino said. “Although people get bothered by the skin issues that may develop, it’s not as infectious and it’s not as fatal.”

“Always call your provider…If you decide to go to an ER and you think you have been exposed to monkeypox it’s always best to call them first so they are prepared to treat you and receive you because they have to have special precautions to do that,” Pino said.

At the discussion, Guillermo Smith also wanted to bring attention to another disease going around Orange County.

Chu said recent spikes in hepatitis A cases in the region could also be classified as an outbreak.

The prior five-year average for hepatitis A cases in Orange County was 1.4, Chu said. Not counting a nationwide outbreak of hepatitis A, in 2018 and 2019 that primarily occurred in persons who are experiencing homelessness and drug users.

“Currently, we have 59 outbreak associated cases here in Orange County,” she said. “And this outbreak is affecting a very different population [than in 2018 and 2019].”

Almost 80% of those cases have been hospitalized and 95% of the cases are in males and over 60% are in those who identify as a man who has sex with men, according to Chu.

“While hepatitis A hasn’t been on the forefront of the conversation recently, it is a third concurrent outbreak that is occurring in Orange County right now,” she said.

George Wallace with the LGBTQ+ Center Orlando said getting around the stigma and perception of the diseases only happening among gay people is important when talking about these outbreaks.

“Seven deaths, seven could become 70 could become 700 and we don’t want to see that,” Wallace said. “If the AIDS crisis taught us anything it is resiliency and our community is extremely resilient. That’s why part of our mission is to serve our community and our allies.”

The LGBTQ Center in Orlando and Savoy Orlando partnered with FDOH to offer the meningococcal vaccine.

arabines@orlandosentinel.com

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