Palm Beach County Schoolboy Succumbs to Bacterial Meningitis

Each year, approximately 500 people die from bacterial meningitis, which often results in a fatal outcome. If patients survive the illness, it can often leave them with serious complications such as hearing loss and brain damage. These diseases tend to spread more quickly where larger groups of people gather together. College students living in residence halls and military personnel are at increased risk for bacterial infections such as meningococcal meningitis (caused by Neisseria meningitidis).

A five-year-old Palm Beach County resident is the latest victim in Florida to die after developing meningitis. This is causing concern among the school community. The Florida Department of Health began administering prophylactic antibiotics shortly after the diagnosis was confirmed. These antibiotics are very effective in preventing the spread of the illness to others.

Public school students in Palm Beach County are not required to be vaccinated for bacterial meningitis, but the health department recommends children receive the vaccine. The Immunization Action Coalition, a non-profit that advocates for increased immunization rates, reports that at least 22 states and Washington, D.C., require students to receive the vaccine (meningococcal).

In 2014, a high school senior in Lakeland, Florida, died of complications from the illness, and a case was reported at an elementary school in Miramar in 2013.

Health officials will closely monitor children and staff at the hospital in Palm Beach County. Concerned families can contact officials for advice.
 

Phenelle Segal
Nov 2, 2015

0

► Read More

Chikungunya Virus: Are We Closer to a Vaccine?

As the summer progresses and over 40 species of mosquitoes take "residence" in Florida, the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which originated in the Caribbean, is once again a threat to persons who are susceptible to mosquito bites and unprotected when enjoying the outdoors.

Recently recognized and joining Dengue fever as a mosquito-borne illness, CHIKV symptoms range from mild to severe headaches, high fever, muscle pain, possible rash and, most notable, severe joint pains in the arms and legs that can be highly debilitating and prolonged. Patients describe feeling "so ill" that they can't get out of bed. It can take a toll on work productivity and activities of daily living.

To date, no vaccine or treatment is available, and the mechanism for protection has been difficult to grasp. But, according to Cell Host & Microbe, a group of scientists recently isolated human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from donors that neutralize CHIKV infectivity. Several of these mAbs exhibited prophylactic and therapeutic activity in a mouse model, suggesting hope for prevention of infection in the future with a vaccine.

While it is too soon to determine if a vaccine is possible, this discover provides a lead for scientists to continue studying the potential for providing protection to "at-risk" individuals. 

Phenelle Segal
Jul 13, 2015

0

► Read More

Flu Activity Increases in Florida

Flu activity is off to an early start in the state of Florida, particularly in the pediatric population as evidenced by information reported via the Florida Flu Review.

Between October 1 and November 22, an antigenic difference in the circulating influenza A virus (H3N2) compared to the strain found in the current vaccine was identified. Known as antigenic "drift," this will potentially result in a more severe flu season, with the potential for higher morbidity and mortality.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising people who have not received the vaccine to get vaccinated as soon as possible because, despite that coverage for influenza A is diminished, the vaccine still provides protection against circulating influenza strains that have not undergone significant antigenic drift such as influenza A, H1N1 and influenza B viruses.

Forty-two counties in Florida reported increasing activity during week 48 of 2014, and besides increasing activity in pediatric patients, pregnant women are reporting higher numbers of cases than is typical for the start of the season.

Phenelle Segal
Dec 9, 2014

0

► Read More