Confirmed Cases of Meningococcal Disease Under Investigation in Leon County 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 1, 2022

Confirmed Cases of Meningococcal Disease Under Investigation in Leon County

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Leon County (DOH Leon) is investigating three confirmed cases of meningococcal disease in individuals in Tallahassee aged 18 to 22. This is a serious disease caused by a bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. However, it is preventable and treatable. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against meningococcal disease.

DOH Leon offers meningococcal disease vaccines. For more information, visit the DOH Leon immunizations website or call 850-404-6403.

The number of confirmed cases and possible exposures constitutes a meningococcal cluster. DOH Leon’s epidemiology team is contacting people with potential or direct exposure to known cases and providing them with information and treatment options.

This type of bacterial meningitis is not easily transmissible from person-to-person. It requires close contact over a period of time, or direct contact such as kissing or sharing drinks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people do not catch the bacteria through casual contact or by breathing air where someone with meningococcal disease has been.

Early symptoms of the disease include sudden headache, fever, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, rash, and light sensitivity. Anyone who has been exposed or develops symptoms should be evaluated by a health care provider right away. This is a rare but potentially devastating infection.

“We are working to investigate these cases and to ensure that people who have come into close contact with the patients receive antibiotics as a precautionary measure against infection,” said Sandon S. Speedling, MHS, CPM, CPH, Interim Health Officer, DOH Leon.

For more information about meningococcal disease, please visit the CDC website.

# # #

About the Florida Department of Health

The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

Follow the Florida Department of Health in Leon County on Twitter at @healthyleonfl

Media Contact:

Pamela Saulsby

Public Information Officer

Pamela.saulsby@flhealth.gov

850-404-6220