Student dies and two seriously ill after second outbreak of meningitis in UK
A student has tragically died, and two other young people are unwell following an outbreak of meningitis in Reading, Berkshire.
One of the cases has been confirmed as meningitis B (MenB), which was linked to a cluster of fatal cases in Kent earlier this year.
However, it’s understood that the most recent case in Berkshire is not the same strain of MenB that was linked to the outbreaks in Kent in March.
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord - it can be very serious if not treated quickly.
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As per the NHS, it can cause life-threatening sepsis and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.
The person who died with suspected meningitis was a student at Henley College in Oxfordshire, according to a GP surgery based in Henley-on-Thames, which put out a statement following the fatality.
The Hart Surgery said in a statement on Thursday (14 May) evening: “Dear patients. We have been in contact with the UK Health Security Agency this morning (14th May) regarding the very sad news that a student at Henley College has died with suspected meningococcal disease."
The GP explained: “They have confirmed that they are actively contacting those who may be at risk due to a close association with the student involved.
“If you have not been contacted by the UK Health Security Agency, then currently you do not require any treatment. Staff and students have been advised they can attend the college as usual.”
They added: “The number of confirmed cases is very low so there are currently no plans for a local emergency meningitis vaccination programme.”
It’s understood that the other two cases are linked to schools in the Reading area, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reassured that the risk to the public currently remains low.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the UK government body said that its specialists were ‘working with local authority and NHS partners following three cases of meningococcal infection (meningitis) in young people in Reading.
Henley College has yet to issue a statement, and close contacts of the people linked to the meningitis are being offered antibiotics as a precaution.
Dr Paddy Woodman, director of student services at the University of Reading, said: “While there are no reported cases among University of Reading students, I know that our students, staff and family members may be concerned.
“We will be contacting students to remind them of existing information about looking out for signs of meningitis, and the importance of acting immediately on any worrying symptoms, as well as checking their vaccination status.”
The news comes just weeks after a deadly meningitis outbreak in Kent, which saw two students die, including 18-year-old Juliette Kenny, who was described by her family as ‘fit, healthy and strong’ before she contracted the illness.
Dr Rachel Mearkle, consultant in health protection, said: “We understand that many people will be affected by this sad news and would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family of this student.
“Students and staff will naturally be feeling worried about the likelihood of further cases, however, meningococcal meningitis requires very close contact to spread and large outbreaks as we saw in Kent recently are thankfully rare.
“We are working closely with partners and have provided public health advice and precautionary antibiotic treatment to close contacts of the cases.
“Meningococcal disease does not spread easily, and the risk to the wider public remains low.”
Madison Burgess