UK authorities to make main announcement on meningitis outbreak at present after 2 die
Health Secretary Wes Streeting is set to give a major statement to the House of Commons on the meningitis outbreak in Kent.
The message from the UK government is set to be given at around 12.30pm today (March 17) and comes after two people have died following multiple cases being reported in Canterbury. Streeting was seen at Downing Street this morning where it is expected
Cases of meningitis seen in Kent have been confirmed as meningitis B, health officials have said, as hundreds of people are being urged to get antibiotics to stem the spread of infection.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which is investigating the outbreak that left two young people dead and others in hospital, told the Press Association some cases had been confirmed as men B and it would confirm the strain in other cases “when we have the full results”.
(Image: PA)
Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings
The majority of young people born before 2015 are not protected against meningitis B unless they have had the jab privately. It was introduced on the NHS for babies in 2015.
The Government is now facing calls to introduce a catch-up campaign for teenagers and young people who missed out on the men B jab on the NHS.
However, some experts said not every meningitis B strain is covered by the current vaccine, and more work may be needed on the strain.
The UKHSA said on Monday evening that it was continuing to investigate the outbreak of meningitis, with 13 cases notified since March 13, including two deaths.
Dr Amirthalingam, from the UKHSA, denied on Tuesday there had been a delay in responding to the meningitis outbreak.
She told the Today programme: “I think it’s important to stress that early on, there were only individual cases, and it actually needs further detailed follow up with those cases to work out the links between the different cases.
(Image: PA)
“And you’d appreciate with these individuals, some of whom are extremely unwell in hospital, it can be difficult to try and ascertain detailed follow-up information.
“But that was really – to be fair – done very rapidly over the weekend, to be able to give that information out and identify the links within 24 hours. On reflection, people in the local teams acted very, very quickly. I don’t believe there’s been any delay in terms of the public health response.”
A Year 13 pupil in Faversham named locally as Juliette Kenny and a student at the University of Kent have died in the outbreak, with others treated in hospital. It is understood some people were put in an induced coma.
Louise Jones-Roberts, the owner of Club Chemistry, told PA that more than 2,000 people would have visited the venue over the three dates. The nightclub has been linked to the outbreak.
Those who visited now need tracing for antibiotics. Jones-Roberts said she believed more than one case was connected to mingling at the club and she had “been told they started showing symptoms on March 10”.
Jones-Roberts said she had managed to contact around 90 out of 95 members of staff at the club and they had gone to get antibiotics.
She said one staff member with confirmed meningitis is doing well and receiving treatment.
Two other employees with suspected meningitis have since been given the all clear for the infection.
Jones-Roberts said: “I’m devastated for the families affected. It’s so incredibly sad.
“I just really hope people know the symptoms and no more lives are lost.”
She said the club would remain closed until further notice, adding: “It is not a hard decision to close – we are talking about people’s lives.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.
