The New York State Department of Health issued a recommendation earlier this month urging HIV-positive males who have had sexual relations with men to receive meningococcal vaccinations immediately.

The recommendation comes after a recent meningitis outbreak in the city. There have been four reported cases in New York City within the past four weeks, one resulting in death and one in critical condition at press time. However, city officials said the outbreak was unrelated to the contaminated steroid medication that was distributed to 20 states over the summer.

Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Inflammation usually occurs when the fluid surrounding those areas is infected, which can happen during prolonged close contact with an infected person.

“The most recent four cases have all been among HIV-infected men,” the City Department of Health stated in a report. “People living with HIV are at a greater risk than the general population of acquiring invasive meningococcal disease and, if infected, dying from infection.”

Judith A. Aberg, a professor at the NYU School of Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, said more than 50 percent of those newly diagnosed with HIV in New York City is among men, particularly youth.

She also said men need to be aware of potential exposures if they want to remain safe.

“HIV infected men should be using condoms, including during oral sex,” Aberg said. “If they suspect they may have had an exposure, or if they have symptoms such as a fever, headache, stiff neck or rash, they should see their doctor immediately, as we do have antibiotics to prevent disease.”

Though Tisch freshman Kyle Hill said the vaccination was a good idea, he said he was not
particularly worried.

“That being said, I’m not HIV-positive, so I am using the same amount of protection that I always do,” Hill said. “I encourage other people to be safe as well.”

NYU requires its students either to receive the meningitis vaccine or to acknowledge information regarding the disease. Patients seeking to obtain the vaccination may contact their usual HIV care provider. If the vaccine is not offered, patients can call 311 to identify a health care site. Vaccinations are offered at New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation’s HIV clinics and the Health Department’s immunization and sexually transmitted disease clinics. Costs are covered by Medicaid and AIDS Drug Assistance Program.

Harold Horowitz, director of Infection Control and section chief of Infectious Diseases at Bellevue Hospital, said college students in dorms are traditionally a high-risk group.

“Students in general should have had a vaccine within the past five few years, but the current recommendation for HIV+ is to have one vaccine and a second vaccine four to eight weeks later,” Horowitz said. “Students who fall into high-risk categories that have had the vaccine may likely need another dose.”

The city has released an extensive Outbreak Fact Sheet, in addition to its initial press release. The State Department of Health has also posted information on its website.

In a previous version of this article, WSN incorrectly reported that the meningitis cases in New York City were linked to the national outbreak. In fact, they are unrelated. WSN regrets the error. 

A version of this article appeared in the Wednesday, Oct. 17 print edition. Billy Richling is a contributing writer. Email him at [email protected].