第2171期:US Officials Warn of Increase in Bacterial Illnesses

United States health officials are warning of an increase in rare bacterial illnesses that can lead to meningitis. It is a serious and often deadly disease in which an outside barrier of the brain or related tissues becomes infected and swollen.

美国卫生官员警告称，可能导致脑膜炎的罕见细菌性疾病有所增加。 这是一种严重且往往致命的疾病，大脑或相关组织的外部屏障受到感染和肿胀。

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning on March 28 about the increase in one kind of invasive “meningococcal disease” called serogroup Y.

美国疾病控制与预防中心 (CDC) 于 3 月 28 日发出警告，称一种名为 Y 血清群的侵袭性“脑膜炎球菌病”有所增加。

Last year, 422 cases of it were reported in the U.S. — the most in a year since 2014. So far this year, 143 cases have been reported. That means infections are on their way to go above 2023 numbers, the CDC said.

去年，美国报告了 422 例此类病例，这是自 2014 年以来最多的一年。今年到目前为止，已报告了 143 例。 CDC 表示，这意味着感染人数将超过 2023 年。

Most of the cases last year did not involve meningitis, though at least 17 died. The cases were more common in adults ages 30 to 60, in Black people and those who have HIV, the CDC said.

去年的大多数病例并不涉及脑膜炎，但至少有 17 人死亡。 CDC 表示，这些病例在 30 至 60 岁的成年人、黑人和艾滋病毒感染者中更为常见。

HIV is a virus that can lead to AIDS, a serious disease that can destroy the body’s natural defense system.

艾滋病毒是一种可以导致艾滋病的病毒，艾滋病是一种可以破坏人体自然防御系统的严重疾病。

The infection caused by meningococcal disease can lead to symptoms that may include high body temperature, head and upper body pain, nausea, and throwing up

脑膜炎球菌病引起的感染可导致体温升高、头部和上半身疼痛、恶心和呕吐等症状

The bacteria can also cause an infection in the blood system. That infection could bring cold, tiredness, cold hands and feet, quick breathing, diarrhea, or discoloration of the skin.

这种细菌还会引起血液系统感染。 这种感染可能会带来寒冷、疲劳、手脚冰冷、呼吸急促、腹泻或皮肤变色。

The infection can be treated with medications like antibiotics. But treatment must be quick to be successful. An estimated 10 to 15 percent of infected people die. And survivors sometimes lose the ability to hear or body parts must be surgically removed

感染可以用抗生素等药物治疗。 但治疗必须快速才能成功。 据估计，10% 至 15% 的感染者会死亡。 幸存者有时会失去听力，或者必须通过手术切除身体部位

There also are vaccines against meningococcal disease.

还有针对脑膜炎球菌病的疫苗。

Officials suggest that all children should get a “meningococcal conjugate vaccine” around the age of 11. Since vaccine protection weakens over time, the CDC also suggests a second shot at age 16.

官员建议所有儿童在 11 岁左右都应该接种“脑膜炎球菌结合疫苗”。由于疫苗保护作用会随着时间的推移而减弱，CDC 还建议在 16 岁时进行第二次注射。

The CDC also suggests the shots for people at higher risk. Higher-risk individuals might include those who live where an outbreak is taking place or those with HIV infection or other kinds of health conditions.

疾病预防控制中心还建议高危人群注射疫苗。 高风险人群可能包括居住在疫情爆发地区的人、感染艾滋病毒或患有其他健康问题的人。