TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file a report from the Health and Human Services Department on their outreach and response regarding the recent outbreak of Meningitis in Long Beach particularly with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community. The report should include statistics on cases in Long Beach and Los Angeles County, existing outreach and programming in Long Beach, specific outreach efforts with the LGBTQ community and next steps for reducing the number of new cases in Long Beach.
DISCUSSION
Throughout Los Angeles County, including the City of Long Beach which has it owns Health Department, there has been a substantial increase in the number of reported cases of meningitis over the past few months. A large number of these confirmed cases are men who identify as gay or bisexual. For instance, In Los Angeles County between January 1 and July 25,2016, excluding Long Beach and Pasadena, there have been a total number of thirteen confirmed cases of meningitis with seven of those cases being gay or bisexual men. This is compared to 2015 when the total number of cases was twelve with only one of those cases being a gay or bisexual identified male.' Similarly, in the City of Long Beach since January 1, 2016 there have been a total of six cases, five of which have occurred in the past two months and three cases confirmed with men who identify as gay or bisexual. In 2015, the City of Long Beach had zero confirmed cases of meningitis.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact at this time.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
LENA GONZALEZ
COUNCILWOMAN, FIRST DISTRICT
SUZIE PRICE
COUNCILWOMAN, THIRD DISTRICT
STACY MUNGO
COUNCILWOMAN, FIFTH DISTRICT