The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has been investigating an invasive meningococcal disease (MenB) outbreak in Kent.
The outbreak was first announced publicly on 13 March with local nightclub Club Chemistry linked to a number of cases.
What cases have been identified in the current outbreak?
The current outbreak in Kent has been linked to the MenB strain. The latest case numbers can be found here. Sadly, 2 people have died.
What is meningococcal disease?
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). The onset can be sudden, which is why knowing the signs and symptoms, and acting quickly, is so important. There are multiple strains of meningococcal bacteria – MenA, MenB, MenC, MenW, MenX, MenY.
How is the disease spread?
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.
Are the majority of cases still in Kent? Have they spread nationally or internationally?
All of the cases identified to date are connected with Kent and there is no evidence currently that this outbreak has spread further. Individual meningitis B cases are not uncommon, but an outbreak of this size is unusual and this is why additional measures are being taken to prevent the spread.
What measures are being taken to control the outbreak?
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.
Antibiotics play a crucial role in the response to this outbreak in 2 distinct ways:
1. Preventative antibiotics (prophylaxis) are being offered to close contacts of confirmed cases as a precautionary measure to help limit further spread. This includes anyone who visited Club Chemistry on 5, 6 or 7 March.
2. Antibiotics given to treat an infection are used when someone has already become ill. For MenB, prompt treatment with antibiotics is critical – which is why seeking urgent medical help at the first sign of symptoms is so important.
Antibiotics are not being offered to all students at the University of Kent this stage. The outbreak response is focused on close contacts and those who have attended settings assessed as high risk. Advice on antibiotics has been issued to staff and students at the University of Kent
MenB vaccine
A targeted vaccination programme has been introduced in direct response to this outbreak. Vaccination began with students living in Canterbury Campus Halls of Residence at the University of Kent and vaccination has been extended to everyone who has been offered preventative antibiotic treatment as part of this outbreak.
Those students who have gone home will be offered vaccines locally if they cannot return to Kent. An offer of preventative antibiotics and vaccination also is now being offered the sixth form students (years 12 and 13) in schools and colleges in Kent where confirmed or probable cases are identified.
The vaccination programme may be expanded as UKHSA continues to assess the risk to other groups. There are sufficient MenB vaccine stocks and the UKHSA are working with local partners to ensure effective distribution to those who need it.
The MenB vaccine helps protect individuals from becoming seriously ill with meningococcal B disease. It works by helping the immune system recognise and fight the MenB bacteria if you come into contact with it.
It is important to know that the MenB vaccine does not protect against all strains of meningococcal disease, nor against all infections that can cause meningitis. It also differs from the MenACWY vaccine in that it does not prevent the bacteria from being carried and spread in the community, and so it is important that everyone who is offered the vaccine takes it to protect themselves from becoming seriously ill.
The MenB vaccine was added to the NHS immunisation schedule for infants in 2015, providing protection for babies and young children in the UK. It is separate from the MenACWY.
Teenagers or young adults born before 1 May 2015, will not have received the MenB vaccine as part of the NHS schedule.
What is the risk to the wider public?
The risk of infection to the wider population remains low but the UKHSA are actively looking for contacts of people who have MenB (contact tracing) and offering preventative antibiotics to those in close contact with cases.
