The UK has issued a warning about a new wave of meningitis following the deaths of students
This has been reported by Bloomberg, and was previously covered by Reuters, citing British medical professionals and officials.
The UK has warned that the current meningitis outbreak could spread beyond its initial epicentre in Kent. According to a technical briefing by Public Health England, the situation could progress from a stage where there is a single known cluster and a few associated cases to higher levels where transmission continues without a clear link to the original source. However, the risk of widespread infection has been described as remote.
University students, particularly freshers, remain at particular risk, according to medical experts. Separately, the agency plans to investigate in detail what exactly happened at Club Chemistry in Canterbury over three days this month to understand why these particular evenings led to mass transmission of the infection.
This refers to group B meningitis, a bacterial infection that is among the most common and potentially most dangerous forms of the disease. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord and can be life-threatening.
Earlier, Reuters reported that as of 19 March, the number of confirmed cases in south-east England had reached 27, with the outbreak affecting pupils and students at four schools in Kent and one student in London. Two people have died – a 21-year-old student at the University of Kent and a teenager from a school in Faversham.
Subsequently, British health authorities stated that the MenB vaccine offered to students should provide protection against the strain identified during this outbreak. According to the UKHSA, as of the evening of 19 March, 18 cases had been confirmed, a further 11 were under investigation, 2,360 people had been vaccinated, and around 9,840 courses of antibiotics had already been dispensed in response to the outbreak.
Meningitis B vaccines in the UK are sold by GSK under the brand name Bexsero and by Pfizer under the brand name Trumenba. British health officials have stated that both vaccines available in the country are effective against the strain detected in Kent.
Demand for the vaccine has surged amid the outbreak. Reuters reported that pharmacies had reported unprecedented demand for the MenB vaccine, whilst long queues for vaccination formed on the University of Kent campus. At the same time, the government has expanded the vaccination programme for students and is examining whether the general vaccination policy needs to be changed.
Symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia include fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, chills, vomiting, and cold hands and feet. Septicaemia is also characterised by a rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass.
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