Meningococcal outbreak prompts SF warning on Pride weekend

A meningococcal outbreak in Southern California that has mostly infected gay men prompted San Francisco health officials Friday to issue a warning on the eve of Pride weekend and a plea for people to get inoculated against the disease.

The warning came after state health officials announced that nine people in the Los Angeles and Orange County area have tested positive for the bacterial disease, which is spread through nose and throat secretions.

Though it takes seven to 10 days for the vaccine to work, the city health department’s last-minute advisory was intended to ensure Pride weekend attendees are aware how the disease is contracted.

HIV-positive people are also at heightened risk for meningococcal disease, officials said.

Symptoms of the disease include fever, vomiting, nausea, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, rash and muscle pain.