Three gay or bisexual men, all of them HIV positive and in New York City, have contracted invasive meningococcal disease since August 24, in an apparent resurgence of the 2010 to 2013 outbreak. At this time last year, signs indicated the meningitis outbreak was likely under control, thanks to an aggressive vaccination campaign. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued a release on September 5, 2014 about the new cases and stressed that it still recommends the meningococcal conjugate vaccine for all HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM), as well as MSM, regardless of their HIV status, who regularly meet men for sex via websites, apps, bars or parties. HIV-positive people should receive two doses of the vaccine. Those gay men planning to visit New York should also consider vaccination
In London (UK), HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) are at a great risk for sexual acquisition of hepatitis C virus (HCV), the National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project reports. Their risk factors are likely similar to those of HIV-positive men, among whom there is an emerging epidemic of sexually transmitted hep C. Researchers at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London conducted a retrospective study of the clinic’s patients in which they identified 44 acute cases of hep C among HIV-negative MSM between January 2010 and December 2013. 34% of the men spontaneously cleared the virus, 25% began treatment for hep C, 30% remained in care and 11% were lost to follow-up; the groups had a median age of 37.