Health officials are increasingly confident they have contained the recent outbreak of meningitis in Kent, with all 20 known cases linked to an original cluster.
Meningitis Outbreak in Kent: What We Realize
The outbreak is caused by a known strain of meningitis B. The MenB vaccine, currently being offered to 5,000 students living in University of Kent halls of residence in Canterbury, is expected to be a great match for this strain, with hundreds receiving the vaccine on Wednesday.
Authorities, including the NHS, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and county council public health staff, believe those infected – many of whom visited a nightclub between March 5th and 7th – have not spread the infection beyond the Kent area.
A case has also been confirmed at Canterbury Christ Church University, involving a student who also visited the nightclub. Both universities are providing support to affected students and following UKHSA guidance regarding precautionary antibiotics for close contacts.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting stated there is sufficient stock of the MenB vaccine available, though this claim was challenged by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), who reported pharmacies are currently unable to meet the surge in demand.
Streeting has asked the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to review the current eligibility criteria for the MenB vaccine, which is currently limited to babies, and consider extending it to include under-18s and young adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of the outbreak?
Health officials increasingly believe they have contained the outbreak, with all known cases linked to the original cluster of 20.
What strain of meningitis is causing the outbreak?
The outbreak is caused by a known strain of meningitis B.
What is being done to prevent further spread?
A MenB vaccine is being offered to students at the University of Kent, and antibiotics are being provided to contacts of those infected. The UKHSA has also issued an alert to NHS doctors in England.
Given the evolving situation, what steps can individuals take to protect themselves and their communities?
