The meningitis outbreak in Kent has resulted in 29 total cases, including 20 confirmed and nine probable cases. Two people have died from the disease, both of whom were students. The earliest known case fell ill on March 9, with the most recent becoming unwell on March 16. The outbreak peaked on March 13.
Key Takeaways
A meningitis outbreak in Kent has resulted in 29 total cases, including 20 confirmed and nine probable cases. Two people have died from the disease, both of whom were students. The earliest known case fell ill on March 9, with the most recent becoming unwell on March 16.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported a decline in cases since the peak, with no new cases linked to the outbreak found recently. As of Monday, 20 confirmed meningitis cases remain, with three under investigation. Nineteen of the confirmed cases are meningitis B.
The NHS delayed alerting health officials about a meningitis case for two days, as reported by BBC News and The Guardian. East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust admitted they missed an opportunity to alert UKHSA sooner. Dr Des Holden, acting chief executive of East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust, stated that the patient first presented on Wednesday evening.
In response to the outbreak, health officials have expanded the meningitis B vaccination programme to include year 11 pupils at schools affected by the outbreak in Kent. Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced this expansion during a visit to University of Kent campus on Thursday 19 March. UKHSA confirmed that ministers agreed to offer jabs to year 11 pupils at schools with known or suspected cases of MenB.
Over 8,000 MenB vaccines and more than 12,000 antibiotic doses have been administered in response to the outbreak. However, pharmacists have warned that the supply of MenB vaccines is insufficient to meet current demand. Vikki Furneaux, a pharmacist at Monkbar Pharmacy in York, noted that high influx has led to low stock.
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