Meningococcal Disease
Virginia health officials are responding to a statewide meningococcal disease outbreak. For the latest information about the outbreak and vaccine recommendations, visit the Virginia Department of Health’s website.
Meningococcal disease refers to any illness caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. These illnesses are often severe, can be deadly, and include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream. Keeping up to date with recommended vaccines is the best protection against meningococcal disease.
Receiving complement inhibitors such as eculizumab (Soliris®) or ravulizumab (Ultomiris™) increases your risk for meningococcal disease. Even if you received meningococcal vaccines, you could still get meningococcal disease. Learn more about this risk factor.
In 2020, CDC reported multiple cases of β-lactamase-producing N. meningitidis serogroup Y in the United States, including eleven cases also resistant to ciprofloxacin. Based on these findings, CDC has updated information for healthcare providers and public health staff on