COOK COUNTY, IL – Cook County Jail staff are closely coordinating with medical staff at Cermak Health Services to identify individuals in custody who are at increased risk of meningococcal infection amid an outbreak in the Chicago area, Sheriff Dart announced today.
To date, there have been no cases of meningitis at the Jail, but additional precautions were enacted following the Chicago Department of Public Health’s announcement of the outbreak. Yesterday, the agency reported that ten cases of Neisseria meningitidis have been reported in Chicago, resulting in two deaths. The agency stated that Chicago usually sees a total of 10-15 cases per year, usually during the winter.
Authorities believe the current outbreak may have originated at a homeless shelter. Infection typically requires close contact over prolonged periods in order to spread, which poses unique challenges for group living facilities such as the Jail.
In response, Jail staff have provided medical staff a list of current individuals in custody who self-reported that they were homeless during the intake process. Cook County Health’s Cermak Health Services staff are working with Chicago Department of Public Health to vaccinate individuals who are at highest risk, either due to their housing status or medical condition. Medical staff are on high alert for meningitis symptoms both at intake and patients who may be susceptible to infection.
“Meningitis can be very dangerous, and we are taking this threat very seriously,” Sheriff Dart said. “As we demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic when the CDC validated our protocols as best practices for jails and prisons, aggressive and early interventions and the ability to quickly adapt are critical to successfully combat the spread of disease. We are grateful for Cermak Health Services’ pro-active approach, and we will work closely with them and public health officials to protect the health of our staff and individuals in custody.”
According to the Chicago Department of Public Health, meningococcal disease can be a life-threatening illness and can first present symptoms similar to other common maladies, including fever, chills, fatigue, and nausea. Individuals who have these symptoms or know someone who does should seek medical care if they begin to also experience the following:
Stiffness in the neck.
- Heightened sensitivity to light.
- Cold hands and feet.
- Severe aches and pains.
- Vomiting or diarrhea.
- Dark purple rash on the body.
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