Student dies and two children ailing after recent meningitis B outbreak in UK
The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed one of the cases is meningitis B — the same strain believed to be behind a cluster of fatal cases in Kent earlier this year
A student receives the Meningitis B vaccine at the University of Kent sports hall on March 19(Image: Getty Images)
A student has tragically passed away and two other youngsters are receiving treatment following a meningitis outbreak in Reading, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
One of these cases has been identified as meningitis B (MenB), the same strain responsible for a series of fatal incidents in Kent earlier this year. The agency stated that those in close contact with the affected individuals are being given antibiotics as a precautionary measure, while reassuring that the current risk to the public remains low.
In a statement released on Thursday, the UKHSA confirmed its specialists were “working with local authority and NHS partners following three cases of meningococcal infection (meningitis) in young people in Reading”.
The student who sadly lost their life in the recent Reading outbreak was attending Henley College in Oxfordshire, as reported by the Hart Surgery in Henley-on-Thames.
“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 surgery announced in a statement.
“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.
“The number of confirmed cases is very low so there are currently no plans for a local emergency meningitis vaccination programme.”
Two students tragically lost their lives in a meningitis outbreak in the Kent area in March – 18 year old Juliette Kenny, who was described by her family as “fit, healthy and strong” prior to her passing, and a University of Kent student.
Dr Rachel Mearkle, consultant in health protection, expressed: “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.”
Meningitis Now’s chief executive Dr Tom Nutt stated: “Everyone at Meningitis Now is deeply saddened and concerned to hear reports of a suspected outbreak of meningitis affecting young people in Reading and the surrounding area, including the tragic death of a young person.
“We would urge people to remain vigilant and aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease. Meningitis can become life-threatening very quickly and early diagnosis and treatment are absolutely vital.”
According to Dr Nutt, symptoms can manifest in “any order” and may include a high temperature, severe headache, vomiting, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion, drowsiness, cold hands and feet, severe muscle pain, and a rash that does not fade under pressure.
“Teenagers and young adults are among the groups most at risk from meningococcal disease, and the recent outbreak in Kent has shown how quickly cases can emerge,” he added.
