US EditionNumber of meningitis cases investigated in Kent rises to 20
The outbreak linked to a nightclub and university halls has caused 20 cases and two deaths, prompting a vaccination campaign for 5,000 students to prevent further spread.
- As of 5pm on Tuesday, March 17 the UK Health Security Agency said 20 meningitis cases are reported and a targeted MenB vaccination programme will begin for 5,000 students in university halls in Kent.
- Public-Health teams say the cluster originated from the Club Chemistry nightclub, Canterbury, between March 5-7, spreading within University of Kent halls and prompting UKHSA contact-tracing teams after the first report on March 13.
- Laboratory teams show nine cases are lab-confirmed and 11 remain under investigation, with the MenB genome undergoing whole genome sequencing, and around 2,500 doses of antibiotics administered in Kent.
- Two deaths of young people and multiple hospital admissions have prompted urgent action, with four local schools confirming cases; University of Kent suspended in-person assessments and GPs across the country will prescribe antibiotics to Club Chemistry attendees.
- The JCVI will be asked to re-examine eligibility for meningitis vaccines, as pharmacies report no private stock of MenB vaccines and have over 100 pending appointments.
94 Articles
94 Articles
Students turned away as surge hits meningitis B vaccine rollout
More students have been turned away for meningitis B vaccines this evening, as the UK Health Security Agency issued an urgent public health alert. The Health Secretary says he’s making 20 thousand more vaccines available after people fell ill with the disease at two universities and four colleges across Kent. Two people have died so far, with 27 cases suspected or confirmed.
Oxford Mail
Oxford Brookes 'actively monitoring' outbreak of meningitis
An Oxford university is "actively monitory" the outbreak of meningitis after two people died in Kent.
The UK suspended routine vaccination against meningitis to newborns in 2015 for budgetary reasons, considering that the spending did not justify the benefits. Eleven years later, two people have died and twenty confirmed cases of the disease have led the government to declare a “national health emergency.” Continue reading...
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