Meningococcal outbreak in Central Oregon

General information
Get Vaccines
Symptoms
Prevention
 

General information

• Crook County is experiencing an outbreak of meningococcal infection. Since March 2011, six residents of Prineville have become ill with cases of meningococcal disease, five of them serogroup C in people under 25 years of age. Three of these cases, all type C, have been within the last three months. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocol, the last three same-type cases constitute an outbreak. The three most recent Crook County cases are an infant less than 6 months, a teen and a young adult. All have since recovered.
• The best way to prevent meningococcal disease is by vaccination. At this time, county and state public health officials recommend people ages 9 months through 25 years who live, work, or attend school or day care in greater Prineville get a meningococcal vaccination. The meningococcal vaccination is usually recommended for children ages 11-12, with a booster at age 16.
• Dial 211 for more information. 
• Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division Factsheet on Meningococcal disease
• Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division Webpage on Meningococcal disease
   

Vaccines

To receive the meningococcal vaccination, people with healthcare coverage should contact their local provider or pharmacist. Most private health insurance plans will cover the cost of vaccination.

Uninsured, Medicaid enrolled, and American Indian/Alaska Native children ages 9 months through 18 years are eligible for federally funded vaccine through the Vaccines for Children program during the outbreak.

For those without health insurance, county health officials are evaluating next steps.

About the vaccine

The meningococcal vaccine is safe and effective for people ages 9 months through 55 years of age. Although it is recommended for all children 11 through 18 years of age, in 2011 just 43 percent of Crook County’s adolescents ages 11-18 received one or more doses of the meningococcal vaccine. In Deschutes County, 56 percent of residents ages 11-18 received the meningococcal vaccine.
 

Symptoms and info about the disease

• People with a fever along with headache, neck stiffness and/or rash should seek medical attention right away. The disease can progress quite quickly but is responsive to antibiotics. In rare cases, complications from meningococcal disease could include brain damage, deafness, paralysis, loss of digits or limbs, and death.
• Meningococcal disease is not easily transmittable. It is a very rare disease, generally striking less than 1 person out of every 100,000 per year. Unfortunately, when the disease strikes it mostly affects adolescents and young adults. The incidence is very low after age 25. Meningococcal disease is spread by respiratory droplets or by direct contact. People with a fever along with headache, neck stiffness and/or rash should seek medical attention immediately. The disease can progress quite quickly but is responsive to antibiotics. In rare cases, complications from meningococcal disease could include brain damage, deafness, paralysis and loss of digits or limbs. About 10 percent of the cases are fatal.
• Meningococcal disease in Deschutes and other surrounding counties over the last year are distinctly different from the Crook County cases. They are not related.

Prevention

• The best way to prevent meningococcal disease is by vaccination. At this time, county and state public health officials recommend people ages 9 months through 25 years who live, work, or attend school or day care in greater Prineville get a meningococcal vaccination. The meningococcal vaccination is usually recommended for children ages 11-12, with a booster at age 16.
• Other ways to lower the risk of infection for people of all ages is by washing your hands, not smoking, not sharing cigarettes or eating utensils, and by not drinking out of the same bottle, cup or straw as another. Smoking or being exposed to others’ cigarette smoke appears to increase the risk of meningococcal significantly.