The total number of meningitis cases linked to the ongoing outbreak in Kent, a county in southeastern England, has risen to 20 – 11 suspected and 9 confirmed. Two people have died: an 18-year-old final-year high school student and a 21-year-old student at the University of Kent. So far, according to the BBC, five local schools have reported confirmed or suspected infections among their pupils, and a second nearby university has confirmed a case.
Health authorities have already launched a targeted meningococcal B vaccination program for 5,000 students on the University of Kent campus in Canterbury and are working to complete contact tracing and determine the source of the outbreak. One hypothesis is that the cases are linked to a social event held in the first days of March. Speaking in the House of Commons, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged anyone who attended the Canterbury nightclub Club Chemistry on March 5, 6 or 7 to “come forward to receive antibiotics” as a precaution; such medication has already been given to 2,500 people.
One case in France
Related reports have also come from France, where health authorities say a person hospitalized with meningitis after returning from the UK is now in stable condition. In recent days they also alerted the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) about a second confirmed case in France linked to the University of Kent. The situation is being monitored and, for now, the French Ministry of Health has said no other cases connected to the outbreak in the UK have been reported.
Why the outbreak has been called “explosive”
Experts have described the outbreak as “explosive” because of its speed and the “unprecedented” spread. While additional cases remain possible – the incubation period is 2 to 14 days – UK health secretary Wes Streeting told BBC Breakfast that the overall risk from this outbreak remains “very low.”
There is nonetheless a degree of public concern, and demand for the meningococcal B vaccine is currently high, several pharmacy chains report. Boots said it has implemented a queuing system for customers trying to access its vaccination service page, and Superdrug has created a waiting list for the vaccine, with a notice on its website warning of a “national shortage.” The company says it is “working with suppliers to secure more doses.”
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