Pat Evans shares warning re irginia Department of Health: Announces Statewide Outbreak of Meningococcal Disease; Most patients are Black; 5 patients have died; Risk to Virginia’s population is still considered low.

8/30/2023: Virginia Department of Health: Announces Statewide Outbreak of Meningococcal Disease; Most patients are Black; 5 patients have died; Risk to Virginia’s population is still considered low. https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/blog/2023/08/30/virginia-department-of-health-announces-statewide-outbreak-of-meningococcal-disease/ Make sure you kids get the right vaccines (see link) at an early age: CNN now reports that most case-patients are Black or African American adults between 30 to 60 years of age, according to the Virginia Health Department. Only one person was vaccinated for Neisseria meningitidis type Y out of the 27 reported cases. The bacteria spread from person to person through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (e.g., kissing, coughing or sneezing directly into the face of others, or sharing cups, water bottles, eating utensils, and cigarettes). Keep washing those hands for 20 or more seconds. Symptoms can first appear flu-like and may quickly become more severe. Meningococcal disease can be treated with antibiotics, but quick medical attention is extremely important. You should not delay seeking care if you or a loved one experience the following symptoms: fever, chills, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to bright light, and possibly a rash. https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/02/health/virginia-deaths-meningococcal-disease-outbreak/index.html?utm_term=link&utm_content=2023-09-03T01%3A30%3A10&utm_source=twCNN&utm_medium=social