422 cases were reported in 2023, which was the highest annual number since 2014. As of March 25th, 143 cases have been reported for the current calendar year
A specific meningococcal strain known as sequence type (ST) 1466 is responsible for most (over two-thirds) of these serogroup Y cases with symptoms that include fever, headache, stiff neck and nausea.
CDC alerts healthcare providers of increase in invasive meningococcal disease cases in the US
Invasive meningococcal disease is mainly attributable to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing a Health Alert Network to alert healthcare providers of an increase in invasive meningococcal disease, mainly attributable to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y. In 2023, 422 cases were reported in the United States, which was the highest annual number since 2014. As of March 25th, 143 cases have been reported for the current calendar year, an increase of over a third compared to this time last year. A specific meningococcal strain known as sequence type (ST) 1466 is responsible for most (over two-thirds) of these serogroup Y cases with symptoms that include fever, headache, stiff neck and nausea.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is alerting doctors to be on the lookout for certain types of rare, serious meningococcal infections that are on the rise in the United States.
Meningitis symptoms include fever, headache, a stiff neck, an aversion to light and nausea.
Symptoms of meningococcal bloodstream infections include fever and chills, fatigue, vomiting,
Accuracy
Most cases of invasive meningococcal disease caused by ST-1466 had a clinical presentation other than meningitis: 64% presented with bacteremia and at least 4% presented with septic arthritis.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that these rare and serious bacterial infections are on the rise when there have been no significant changes reported by other sources such as CDC's own data. Secondly, the author states that about 1 in 6 people who contracted this infection died which is not accurate according to CDC's own data where only one death was attributed to meningococcal disease in September and none of them were from the rare strain mentioned in the article. Thirdly, the author claims that these cases are unusual because they are striking middle-aged adults when typically meningitis strikes babies or adolescents and young adults which is not accurate according to CDC's own data where most cases have been reported among people aged 30 to 60. Fourthly, the article uses sensationalism by stating that these infections may present with unusual symptoms without providing any evidence of this claim.
The author claims that these rare and serious bacterial infections are on the rise when there have been no significant changes reported by other sources such as CDC's own data. This is a lie by omission.
Fallacies
(75%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the rare and serious bacterial infection appearing with unusual symptoms. The author uses language that depicts these infections as extreme or unreasonable by saying 'rare, serious meningococcal infections' and 'higher fatality rate than they typically see'. Additionally, the use of phrases like 'on the rise', and 'striking middle-aged adults' creates a sense of urgency that may be used to manipulate readers. The article also uses language that implies these meningococcal infections are more dangerous than typical meningitis infections by saying they can lead to both meningitis and septicemia, or blood poisoning.
The rare, serious bacterial infection appearing with unusual symptoms is on the rise
These cases are also unusual because they are striking middle-aged adults. Typically, meningitis infections strike babies or adolescents and young adults.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
There are multiple examples of conflicts of interest found in this article. The author has a financial stake in the pharmaceutical industry as she is an employee at CNN which owns several drug companies.
The CDC alert refers to rare serious bacterial infection appearing with unusual symptoms, but it does not specify what specific drugs or treatments are recommended for patients.
Invasive meningococcal disease is on the rise in the United States
The serogroup Y strain ST-1466 is responsible for most (68%) of these cases and disproportionately affects people ages 30–60 years, Black or African American people, and people with HIV.
Most cases of invasive meningococcal disease caused by ST-1466 had a clinical presentation other than meningitis: 64% presented with bacteremia and at least 4% presented with septic arthritis.
Healthcare providers should have a heightened suspicion for meningococcal disease, particularly among populations disproportionately affected by the current increase, be aware that patients may present without symptoms typical of meningitis, and ensure that all people recommended for meningococcal vaccination are up to date.
MeningacWY vaccine is routinely recommended for adolescents and people with other risk factors or underlying medical conditions including HIV.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(80%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that meningococcal disease caused by ST-1466 strain is responsible for most (101 of 148) serogroup Y cases with available sequence type data across the United States in 2023. However, this statement is not entirely accurate as it does not provide a clear picture of the total number of meningococcal disease cases caused by ST-1466 strain in that year. Secondly, the author states that most cases of invasive meningococcal disease caused by ST-1466 had a clinical presentation other than meningitis: 64% presented with bacteremia and at least 4% presented with septic arthritis. However, this statement is also not entirely accurate as it does not provide any information on the percentage of cases that did present with meningitis or how many had no clinical presentation at all. Thirdly, the author claims that most cases of invasive meningococcal disease caused by ST-1466 occurred in people ages 30–60 years (65%), Black or African American people (63%), and people with HIV (15%). However, this statement is also not entirely accurate as it does not provide any information on the percentage of cases that occurred in other age groups, ethnicities or medical conditions. Finally, the author claims that most cases of invasive meningococcal disease caused by ST-1466 had a clinical presentation other than meningitis: 64% presented with bacteremia and at least 4% presented with septic arthritis. However, this statement is also not entirely accurate as it does not provide any information on the percentage of cases that did present with meningitis or how many had no clinical presentation at all.
The author claims that most cases of invasive meningococcal disease caused by ST-1466 occurred in people ages 30–60 years (65%), Black or African American people (63%), and people with HIV (15%). However, this statement is also not entirely accurate as it does not provide any information on the percentage of cases that occurred in other age groups, ethnicities or medical conditions.
The author states that most cases of invasive meningococcal disease caused by ST-1466 had a clinical presentation other than meningitis: 64% presented with bacteremia and at least 4% presented with septic arthritis. However, this statement is also not entirely accurate as it does not provide any information on the percentage of cases that did present with meningitis or how many had no clinical presentation at all.
The author claims that meningococcal disease caused by ST-1466 strain is responsible for most (101 of 148) serogroup Y cases with available sequence type data across the United States in 2023. However, this statement is not entirely accurate as it does not provide a clear picture of the total number of meningococcal disease cases caused by ST-1466 strain in that year.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article discusses an increase in invasive meningococcal disease caused by the Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y (ST-1466) strain. The author provides data on the number of cases reported in 2023 and compares it to previous years, highlighting that this is an increase over the past year. They also provide information about demographics affected by this disease, including age groups and specific populations such as Black or African American people and those with HIV. The article discusses clinical presentation of invasive meningococcal disease caused by ST-1466, which includes bacteremia (bacterial infection in the bloodstream) and septic arthritis (inflammation of a joint due to an infection). Additionally, the author provides information on vaccination recommendations for people with HIV. The article also discusses public health department and healthcare provider recommendations related to this disease.
The number of invasive meningococcal disease cases caused by ST-1466 in 2023 is higher than the previous year, indicating an increase.
Bias
(85%)
The article reports an increase in invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y (ST-1466) in the United States. The strain is responsible for most cases of ST-Y and disproportionately affects people ages 30–60 years, Black or African American people, and those with HIV. Most cases presented without symptoms typical of meningitis but had a clinical presentation other than meningitis such as bacteremia or septic arthritis. The case-fatality rate for these cases is higher than the historical average for serogroup Y cases in 2017–2021.
The article reports an increase in invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y (ST-Y) in the United States. The strain is responsible for most cases of ST-Y and disproportionately affects people ages 30–60 years, Black or African American people, and those with HIV.
The article reports that most cases of invasive meningococcal disease caused by ST-Y presented without symptoms typical of meningitis but had a clinical presentation other than meningitis such as bacteremia or septic arthritis.
. U.S. health officials are warning of an increase in rare bacterial illnesses that can lead to meningitis and possible death.
. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an alert to U.S. doctors on Thursday about an increase in cases of one type of invasive meningococcal disease, most of it due to a specific strain of bacteria.
Most people being diagnosed with this particular strain are adults ages 30 to60.
. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck and nausea.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article is misleading in several ways. Firstly, it states that the bacteria can cause a dangerous brain and spinal cord inflammation called meningitis with symptoms such as fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting. However this information is not accurate as these are common symptoms of many illnesses including viral infections like COVID-19. Secondly the article states that an estimated 10% to 15% of infected people die but it does not provide any context or evidence for this claim, making it unclear where this statistic comes from. Lastly, the article mentions a specific strain of bacteria as being responsible for most cases but fails to mention that other strains can also cause meningococcal disease.
The sentence 'The bacteria can cause a dangerous brain and spinal cord inflammation called meningitis' is misleading because it implies that the symptoms listed are specific to bacterial infections when they could be caused by other illnesses.
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a source of information. The CDC is presented as an authoritative figure on the topic of meningococcal disease, but this does not necessarily mean that their statements are accurate or unbiased.
The article states that 'U.S. health officials are warning of an increase in rare bacterial illnesses than can lead to meningitis and possible death.' This statement implies the authority of U.S. health officials, but it does not provide any evidence or context for this claim.
The CDC is cited as a source for information on the rise in cases of invasive meningococcal disease. The article states that 'Most of the cases last year did not involve meningitis', which suggests that the CDC's definition of what constitutes an increase in rare bacterial illnesses may be narrow or misleading.
Bias
(75%)
The article is biased towards the rising cases of meningococcal disease in the US. The author uses language that depicts one side as extreme or unreasonable by stating 'U.S health officials are warning of an increase in rare bacterial illnesses than can lead to meningitis and possible death.' This implies a sense of urgency and danger, which may be used to manipulate the reader's perception.
The article is biased towards the rising cases of meningococcal disease in the US.
The author uses language that depicts one side as extreme or unreasonable by stating 'U.S health officials are warning of an increase in rare bacterial illnesses than can lead to meningitis and possible death.'
