CDC says gay and bi men in Florida need the meningococcal vaccine, to keep them safe in 'worst' outbreak in US history - CNN

The CDC's been trying to warn men in Florida or traveling to Florida, particularly those who identify as gay, bisexual, queer or trans, that they need to get a vaccine that can prevent them from getting meningococcal disease.

Meningococcal disease, including meningitis, is a bacterial infection in the lining of the brain and spinal cord.

There is an ongoing outbreak in Florida in what the CDC describes as "one of the worst outbreaks of meningococcal disease among gay and bisexual men in U.S.

Half of the cases have been in men who identify as Hispanic.

The disease doesn't only impact people who identify as LGBT or Q and the illness does not seem to be connected to one particular event.

"However, anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk," the CDC notes.

Associate Director for Prevention, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases at the CDC, Sam Crowe, told CNN Friday that many of the meningococcal cases had been concentrated in Central Florida, but there are cases now throughout the state.

The agency says its presence at pride events will also continue throughout the summer.

On the Grindr app, the company said they are working with the CDC and Building Health Online Communities a nonprofit that supports gay men's health, to get the word out about the outbreak.

Gridr said it first sent out a message about the outbreak in April and then sent a second message two weeks ago to their users in Florida.

So we're telling folks if they're seeing those symptoms, to definitely get to their health care provider as soon as possible."

It's not as contagious as the common cold Crowe said, people need close contact with the infected to get sick.