What you need to know about the meningitis outbreak
For live information about the ongoing outbreak, please visit the UK Health Security Agency website.
There is currently an outbreak of meningococcal disease (MenB) in Kent. Meningococcal disease is a serious but uncommon illness caused by meningococcal bacteria. It can lead to meningitis - inflammation of the lining of the brain - and sepsis (blood poisoning).
Meningitis can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. Meningitis can be very serious if not treated quickly.
The onset can be sudden, which is why knowing the signs and symptoms, and acting quickly, is so important.
According to the UK Health Security Agency, as of 5pm on 18 March, 15 laboratory cases are confirmed and 12 notifications remain under investigation, bringing the total to 27. Sadly, at the point of publication 2 people have died.
Transmission of MenB requires close and prolonged contact to spread including living in the same household and intimate contact such as kissing or sharing drinks or vapes. The bacteria are not as contagious as other infections such as measles and COVID-19.
The overall risk of MenB to people outside the Kent area remains low.
Antibiotics are only recommended for people who have been in close contact with someone who has MenB.
If you have symptoms of meningitis, get medical help straight away. If someone goes to bed unwell, check on them regularly.
Who is being offered antibiotics?
Preventative antibiotics (also called prophylaxis) are being offered to anyone who went to Club Chemistry in Canterbury, Kent on 5, 6 or 7 March and to people who are close contacts of those who are confirmed or suspected to have meningitis.
If you have been offered preventative antibiotics, it is strongly recommended that you take them promptly. There are sufficient antibiotic stocks at the university, in local hospitals, and with the ambulance service.
If you were at Club Chemistry on 5, 6 or 7 March, or if you have had close contact with someone who has confirmed or suspected meningitis, and have since returned home, you can contact your local GP to get antibiotics wherever you are in the UK.
Who is being offered the MenB vaccine?
A targeted vaccination programme is being introduced in direct response to this outbreak. Vaccination will begin with students living in Canterbury Campus Halls of Residence at the University of Kent.
The vaccination programme may be expanded as UKHSA continues to assess the risk to other groups.
For more information about the outbreak visit the UKHSA website:
Symptoms of meningitis
Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:
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a high temperature (fever)
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being sick
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a headache
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a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but a rash will not always develop)
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a stiff neck
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a dislike of bright lights
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drowsiness or unresponsiveness
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seizures (fits)
These symptoms can appear in any order. You do not always get all the symptoms.
When to get medical help
Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E immediately if you think you or someone you look after could have meningitis or sepsis.
Trust your instincts and do not wait for all the symptoms to appear or until a rash develops. Someone with meningitis or sepsis can get a lot worse very quickly.
Call NHS 111 for advice if you're not sure if it's anything serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis.
If you've had medical advice and are still worried or any symptoms get worse, get medical help again.
How meningitis is spread
Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection.
Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis.
Infections that cause meningitis can be spread through:
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sneezing
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coughing
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kissing
Meningitis is usually caught from people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but are not ill themselves. It can also be caught from someone with meningitis, but this is less common.
For more information about meningitis visit the NHS website:
