CANOGA PARK, Calif. — The Free Speech Coalition issued an advisory tonight stating that there is a general health alert for meningitis infections in Southern California.
While the FSC said the advisory does not indicate an emergency situation, “we are as always concerned for the safety and well-being of our workers and would like to make sure that people are aware and can take the necessary precautions.”
Despite no cases among adult performers, vaccinations are recommended, the FSC said.
“An outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is ongoing in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. So far this year, 24 cases of IMD, including meningitis and bloodstream infections, have been linked with this outbreak in Los Angeles County, Long Beach, and Orange County,” said Eric Paul Leue, executive director of the FSC.
“Sixteen of the cases have occurred in the past two months. The disease, which is transmitted through saliva, sneezing, coughing, sharing beverages and kissing, is potentially deadly. Smoking and having multiple close or intimate contacts also has been shown to increase risk. While the bacteria doesn’t discriminate, most of the cases in the outbreak have been among men who have sex with men.”
Leue said that as part of ongoing collaboration between the adult industry and state and local public health departments, the adult trade group feels it is important to help raise awareness around IMD.
“A single vaccination is protective for persons who do not have HIV,” he said.
A free vaccination from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health can be obtained. Call 211 or click here for more information.
