Rare bacteria that invades the nervous system and can turn fatal ‘within hours’ is on the rise in US, CDC warns

THE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued a health warning about a rare bacterial infection that can become fatal within hours.

Cases of the infection, known as invasive meningococcal disease, have been rising since 2023, the CDC said in its warning.

As of March 25, 2024, the CDC has reported at least 143 cases, an increase of 62 cases over the 81 reported on the same date in 2023.

Last year, a total of 422 cases were reported, the highest number of reports since 2014.

In the cases identified so far this year, about 1 in 6 people have died, a higher fatality rate than the CDC typically sees with meningococcal infections.

Meningococcal disease is any illness caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis.

Known as meningitis, it is an uncommon but serious illness that can cause life-threatening complications and even death.

Meningitis can attack the lining of the brain and spinal cord and, in some cases, cause a serious blood infection (sepsis).

Early symptoms of meningitis can sometimes be similar to those of the flu, but they can progress quickly and can be fatal.

Symptoms include sudden high fever, severe headache, body aches and chills, stiff neck, and a dark purple rash (typically on the torso, arms, or legs).

Meningitis is caused by a bacteria carried in the nose or back of the throat by up to 10 percent of people.

A high rate of infections occurs via kissing, coughing, sneezing, or living in close contact with others who are infected.

However, specific individuals with weaker immune systems, like infants and people with HIV, are more vulnerable to infection.

The CDC has identified three meningococcal bacteria serotypes, B, C, and Y, that cause most illnesses in the .

The Y bacterial group is the one spreading around the nation, according to the CDC.

There are different types of meningitis vaccines needed to help protect against the five vaccine-preventable serogroups of meningitis: A, B, C, W, and Y.

GSK’s Menveo vaccine protects against serogroups A, C, W, and Y – as does Pfizer’s Nimenrix.

GSK’s Bexsero protects against serogroup B, as does Pfizer’s Trumenba.

GSK is currently in the trial phase for its pentavalent vaccine, which will cover all five serogroups: A, B, C, W, and Y.

If approved, the vaccine candidate could provide the broadest coverage against the most prevalent meningococcal serogroups and could lead to a simplified immunization schedule similar to Pfizer’s Penbraya.