Meningitis

 A

Strain of

Meningitis has Taken the Lives of Gay Men

 

The meningitis strain is similar to meningococcal, but this strain has affected 22 gay men in New York City since 2010, with 7 deaths. A recent man from Hollywood, California has fallen victim to the illness and died Friday, after being on life support from this strain of meningitis. He was gay and did attend a party in Palm Springs on March 30, which is known to attract people from all over the country. The 33-year-old was healthy prior to Wednesday when he entered the emergency room and by Thursday he was in a coma. Officials are warning sexually active gay men and are giving out free vaccines in Hollywood, California.

The free vaccines are available starting today and are being given out at:  AIDS Healthcare Foundation's pharmacies in West Hollywood and Hollywood and its Men's Wellness Center in East Hollywood.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/04/13/california-man-diagnosed-with-meningitis-is-brain-dead/ 

http://hollywood.patch.com/articles/free-meningitis-shots-available-this-week-in-hollywood 

Bird Flu

A New Strain of the Bird Flu has Killed Seven

China has reported 24 people sickened with a new strain of the bird flu and seven have died. A 64-year old man from Shanghai complaint of chills and was treated for pneumonia and several days later on Sunday he died. The virus is referred to H7N9 and wasn't known to affect humans until recent illnesses. The virus has been discovered in food markets with live poultry and human contact.  Cities that had cases of H7N9 have stopped poultry trade and slaughtering of fowls in their markets. A vaccine is being sought and pneumonia cases are being watched closely. Investigations are on there way and the prevention of a global pandemic is a great concern.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/china-reports-cases-bird-flu-virus-18899867#.UWLq3hnwaJI