Officials from AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) on Tuesday called on the interim director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Cynthia Harding, and interim health officer, Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, to step down from their positions due to the county’s “woeful” response and handling of cases of meningitis that have disproportionately impacted the LGBT communities.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s interim health officer, Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, above, speaks at the Los Angeles LGBT Center about meningitis last week. AHF called for him and interim director Cynthia Harding to step down.
(photo by Gregory Cornfield)

There have been 17 cases of invasive meningococcal disease in L.A. County so far in 2016 and eight of the cases were gay and bisexual men.

“For more than two years there has been an unexplained surge in meningitis cases among gay men but the L.A. County Department of Public Health has neglected to keep the community informed and has not worked as closely as necessary with community providers,” said Michael Weinstein, president of AHF. “Since April of this year, the department has known that there was a new wave of cases among gay men, but did not make an announcement despite the fact that Pride celebrations were impending in Orange County, Long Beach and West Hollywood. The first ‘health alert’ came June 24 – two weeks after West Hollywood Pride where hundreds of thousands gather. The county is asleep at the wheels in its response to this potentially deadly ­– and recurring health threat.”

AHF complained that there is “still no definitive plan” for mass vaccination for meningitis.

The L.A. County Department of Health, Harding and Gunzenhauser responded to AHF’s claims in an email.

“Yesterday, (L.A. County) Supervisors (Sheila) Kuehl and Mark Ridley Thomas stated their support and affirmation of the work that Public Health is doing. They determined that there was no need to bring attention to false and negative claims brought on by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation,” the department said in a statement. “To set the record straight, Public Health has vigorously continued to make sure that any emerging health issues have been appropriately addressed.”

The department said they promptly responded to all cases, ensuring that exposed individuals were provided protective antibiotics as soon as possible. An increase in cases among men who are gay or bisexual was recognized with a third case in the group during the third week of June – at which time the department provided guidance to health care providers and alerted the public.

“The vaccine recommendations that were developed by Public Health for community providers in response to the outbreak that occurred in L.A. County during 2012-2014 apply to the current situation and, if implemented, will protect individuals who are at risk,” the statement continued. “Public Health has actively reached out to community providers to assure that they have an adequate supply of vaccine on hand to meet current demand. Case investigations have been conducted in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and coordinated with neighboring jurisdictions.”

AHF also included a list of concerns that extend past the recent meningitis outbreak, which the health department did not address.

It included that the department lacks a plan to address a sharp rise in STDs; hasn’t made announcements about measles, pertussis and Zika virus; has “vast unspent funds” in HIV programs; and has no public campaigns regarding childhood vaccination.

“It has been more than three years since Jonathan Fielding announced his retirement,” added Weinstein. “A national search is urgently needed to fill this critical position as well as for the medical director position. The health and well-being of our community across the spectrum of populations is simply too important.”