Over the last few days, the meningitis outbreak in Kent has reached 'unprecedented' levels, with two people having sadly died while 20 cases are currently being investigated.
The situation has been declared a 'national incident' while Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting has expressed concern over the speed at which the disease appears to be spreading.
As of 5pm on 17 March, nine laboratory cases were confirmed, with 11 cases under investigation. Six of the confirmed cases are confirmed to be group B meningococcal disease.
In response, the UKHSA has warned that anyone who attended Club Chemistry in Canterbury on 5, 6 or 7 March should receive a dose of antibiotics.
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Meanwhile, anyone in close contact with someone who has confirmed or suspected meningitis should also receive treatment.
In addition to the widespread allocation of antibiotics, a targeted vaccination programme is also set to be rolled out for students in Canterbury, which will begin in the next few days.
With case numbers growing and students set to be travelling home for the Easter holidays, many people are concerned over how the disease spreads and what precautions need to be taken.
There is also some confusion over the vaccines - primarily, who has already been given the appropriate jab as part of the UK's vaccine schedule and whether they are effective to this particular strain of meningitis.
Let's get into it.
What are the symptoms of meningitis B?
It's important to remember that symptoms of meningitis can appear in any order and there may not always be a rash in the early stages.
In addition, the rash may fade when pressure, such as a glass, is applied.
Treatment of the disease is more effective if caught in the early stages.
As per the NHS, symptoms of meningitis and sepsis include:
- a high temperature
- cold hands and feet
- vomiting
- confusion
- breathing quickly
- muscle and joint pain
- pale, mottled or blotchy skin (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin)
- spots or a rash (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin)
- headache
- a stiff neck
- a dislike of bright lights
- being very sleepy or difficult to wake
- fits (seizures)
Babies may also:
- refuse feeds
- be irritable
- have a high-pitched cry
- have a stiff body or be floppy or unresponsive
- have a bulging soft spot on the top of their head
Where can I get the meningitis B vaccine?
Meningitis B, known as MenB, is believed to be the strain of bacteria behind the outbreak.
For babies born since 2015, the vaccine has been offered as part of the infant vaccine schedule, however for teenagers and students born earlier, the jab was not available and a catch-up programme was not rolled out.
Instead, many teenagers will have been offered the MenACWY vaccine, which offers protection against four types of bacteria that can cause meningitis: meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y.
The vaccine is offered to teenagers aged 14 years old, but does not protect against MenB.
The BBC notes that while the MenB vaccine is effective in providing infants with protection, it is not as good at doing so in young adults.
It also does not protect against every strain of MenB.
People can pay to have the vaccine privately, usually at a local pharmacy, although many have reported low stocks.
Oliver Picard, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association, told BBC Radio 5 Live that his pharmacies were receiving bookings every two to three minutes.
"It is unsustainable," he said. "We don't have any vaccines. We always keep a small stock which was used up very quickly."
How do you catch meningitis B?
The viruses and bacteria that cause meningitis can be spread through:
- sneezing
- coughing
- kissing
The infection can be spread by people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat, but are not ill themselves.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting told the House of Commons: "This is an unprecedented outbreak. It is also a rapidly developing situation."
He added: "It doesn't spread very easily. The bacteria is passed to others after a long period of close contact, for example, living with someone in shared accommodation, through prolonged kissing or sharing vapes and drinks."
Lucy Devine