BREAKING NEWS: UKHSA announces further rise in meningitis cases
The number of meningitis cases following the Kent outbreak has increased to 27, according to the UKHSA.
(c) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/Unsplash
In its latest update, the agency said 15 laboratory cases were confirmed and 12 notifications remain under investigation.
Antibiotics have been made available to GPs across the country to anyone who has since travelled or away from Kent who is seeking preventative treatment.
Cases have been confirmed in students at four schools in Kent, as well as one student at a higher education institution in London (who is confirmed to be directly linked to the outbreak).
While preventative antibiotic treatment remains the most important measure in controlling the outbreak, a targeted MenB vaccination programme is also being introduced for longer term protection. A vaccination programme has started for students and staff who live in or work in the halls at the University of Kent Canterbury Campus – approximately 5,000 students.
The vaccination programme will be expanded as required as UKHSA continues to assess any ongoing risk to other population groups.
The UKHSA said risk to the wider population remains low.
In an update, University of Kent said 600 vaccines were given to students on campus who will require a second dose in four weeks.
Alongside the vaccines, over 6,500 precautionary antibiotics have been given out as a precaution.
A spokesperson added: ‘At the moment, the vaccine is only for University of Kent students living in accommodation on the Canterbury campus.
‘Any plans to expand this pilot will be confirmed by the UKHSA. This is a regional outbreak – and not university-specific. If the evidence suggests that it would help our wider community, we would like to see the eligibility criteria widened.
‘Any students living in Canterbury campus halls of resident who have already returned home, arrangements are currently being developed to ensure that they receive the vaccines nearer to home – further information on this will be provided in due course and at the guidance of the UKHSA.’
