Meningitis outbreak declared ‘national incident’ as cases rise to 20
The outbreak is believed to be linked to a nightclub in Kent
The meningitis outbreak has been declared a 'national incident' as the number of cases being investigated reaches 20.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a warning to people in the Kent area, as well as those who have had any close contact with a person suspected of having the deadly infection.
In a statement, the UKHSA has warned that anyone who attended Club Chemistry in Canterbury on 5, 6 or 7 March should receive a dose of antibiotics.
Meanwhile, anyone in close contact with someone who has confirmed or suspected meningitis should also receive treatment.
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On Tuesday (17 March) Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting announced that a targeted vaccination programme is now set to take place for students, explaining: "We will begin a targeted vaccination programme for students living in halls of residence at the University of Kent in Canterbury, which will begin in the coming days."
Meanwhile, schools in Kent are also offering the vaccine due to a number of cases linked outside of the university.
The situation has also been declared a 'national incident', with UKHSA chief executive Susan Hopkins explaining: "This looks like a super-spreader event, with ongoing spread within the halls of residence in the universities.
"There will have been some parties particularly around this, so there will have been lots of social mixing.
"I can’t yet say where the initial infection came from, how it’s got into this cohort, and why it’s created such an explosive amount of infections.
"I can say that in my 35 years working in medicine, in healthcare and hospitals, this is the most cases I’ve seen in a single weekend with this type of infection.
"It’s the explosive nature that is unprecedented here – the number of cases in such a short space of time.
"NHS were initially managing it as a major incident in the region but they have now increased that overlay to having a national-level oversight as well."
Meanwhile, the Health Secretary added that it was the 'speed' of the outbreak which was particularly worrying.
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.
Two people have sadly died in the outbreak, meanwhile one baby, not currently linked to the outbreak in Kent, has also been confirmed to have the disease.
The most common symptoms include widespread rash, sudden fever, severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Other symptoms can include muscle and joint pain, light sensitivity, cold extremities, seizures, confusion, and fatigue.
A timeline of the Kent meningitis outbreak
Thursday 5 to Saturday 7 March
The outbreak has been linked to the nightclub Club Chemistry in Canterbury, UK. The club has closed voluntarily until further notice.
Friday 13 March
The first case of meningitis, a University of Kent student, is reported to the UK Health and Security Agency.
Saturday 14 March
A second case is identified in France, this time, someone who attended the University of Kent. Back in the UK, hospitals report a number of young people presenting with meningitis symptoms. Contact tracing begins.
Sunday 16 March
It is confirmed that two people have died after being infected with meningitis - one a student at the University of Kent and the other a sixth former in year 13. A public health alert is issued. The total number of cases is 13.
Monday 17 March
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting addresses parliament, calling the meningitis outbreak 'unprecedented'.
He announces a targeted vaccination programme for students living in halls at the University of Kent. Preventative antibiotics are issued to University of Kent students; those who attended Club Chemistry between 5 and 7 March; and close contacts of people who have fallen ill.
The total number of cases is 15.
Wednesday 18 March
In the latest update from UKHSA, the total number of cases is 20.
Lucy Devine