LA Center Asks CDC Why MSM Are Getting Meningitis

The Los Angeles LGBT Center's medical director, Dr. Robert Bolan, has urged the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) -- in a letter co-signed by officials with more than a dozen other leading HIV/AIDS organizations -- to determine why gay/bisexual men seem to be at greater risk of exposure to, and transmission of, Invasive Meningicoccal Disease (IMD) than the general population.

Cases of IMD in the United States have declined to an all-time low over the last decade, but during those 10 years there have been at least two outbreaks (as defined by the CDC) among gay/bisexual men: one in New York and the other in Chicago. And in Los Angeles, which had 33 cases of IMD from December 12, 2013 to May 2014, 12 of those who were infected were gay/bisexual men; that's an attack rate 16-fold greater than what would be expected. In all three cities, many of the men infected were HIV-positive.

Just last week, New York City's Health Department said it was investigating three cases of meningitis that had developed in HIV-positive gay men over the last two weeks.

"We've got to learn why gay and bisexual men seem to be at greater risk of IMD, what correlation there may be to someone's HIV status and what should be done about it, including potential updates to the CDC's vaccine recommendations," said Dr. Bolan. "I'm pleased that the CDC has responded quickly to our letter and has contacted me to discuss next steps."

Dr. Bolan added, "This issue also highlights the importance of tracking health data associated with sexual orientation and gender identity. Without that data, we may not be able to identify the disproportionate risks to LGBT people and in the case of meningitis, that lack of knowledge can have deadly consequences. Here in Los Angeles, the health department only began identifying the sexual orientation of people with IMD two years ago."

Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection that causes the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed. As many as one in five people who develop this meningitis have serious complications, including brain damage, hearing loss, learning disabilities and death. If caught early, it can be effectively treated with antibiotics.

The Center's letter to the CDC was co-signed by officials representing the following organizations: AIDS Action Baltimore, Public Law Center's AIDS Legal Assistance Project (Orange County, Calif.), AIDS Project Los Angeles, Project Inform, ADAP Advocacy Association, Community Access National Network, Friends for Life, State Department of Health/AIDS Institute, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, San Francisco AIDS Foundation, AIDS Services Foundation (Orange County, Calif.), Orange County HIV/AIDS Advocacy Team, Urban Coalition for HIV/AIDS Prevention Services and American Academy of HIV Medicine.

Since 1969 the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed and celebrated LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today the Center's more than 450 employees and 3,000 volunteers provide services for more LGBT people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy. They are an unstoppable force in the fight against bigotry and the struggle to build a better world; a world in which LGBT people can be healthy, equal and complete members of society.

For more information, visit lalgbtcenter.org