The Region : New Meningitis Strain Seen in 33 Deaths

A mutant and aggressive strain of meningitis may be responsible for Los Angeles County’s recent upsurge in meningitis deaths, authorities said. Dr. Steve Waterman, a communicable disease specialist for the county Department of Health Services, said 33 people have died and 126 have been reported suffering from meningitis in the county since December--about three times the number of cases normally reported in an entire year. “There is speculation,” Waterman said, “that it may have to do with a change in the strain of bacteria. We know the strain has changed in the last couple of years and that could possibly be the reason for the recent rise in cases.” The outbreak here peaked in January when 68 cases were reported.