The health authorities in the UK are investigating 27 cases linked to a serious meningitis outbreak that is thought to have originated at a nightclub in southeast England.
Here’s what we know about the disease and the situation:
What is meningitis?
Meningitis is a grave infection that causes inflammation of the linings around the brain or spinal cord, and it can lead to sepsis.
Bacterial meningitis, like what we’re seeing in this outbreak, is less common but more fatal compared to its viral counterpart.
Early signs include headache, fever, drowsiness, and a stiff neck—symptoms that can also appear in various other illnesses, making it tricky to diagnose quickly.
A rash may also develop, and the disease can escalate swiftly.
“It’s definitely not as contagious as, say, the flu or COVID-19,” noted Andrew Lee, a Public Health Professor at the University of Sheffield. “It usually requires prolonged close contact for it to spread.”
Meningitis can be transmitted through close interactions like kissing or sharing drinks or vapes.
Every year, over two million people contract meningitis worldwide, with about 80 percent of cases occurring in developing countries, according to the Meningitis Research Foundation. Outbreaks among university students are notably frequent in the West.
Where does the infection come from?
Meningococcal disease, which can result in meningitis, is a rare but serious infection caused by meningococcal bacteria.
This bacteria is typically spread by individuals who carry it in their throats or noses without showing any symptoms.
“Between 10 and 24 percent of people carry this germ in their throats without any harm,” Lee explained.
Different strains exist, with at least nine confirmed cases of group B meningococcal disease (MenB)—the most prevalent in the UK—in this outbreak.
The source of this outbreak is believed to be Club Chemistry in Canterbury, as stated by Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Ten of the confirmed cases attended the nightclub from March 5-7.
How big is the outbreak?
Streeting has described the situation as “unprecedented.”
As of Thursday, 27 cases were under investigation, with 15 confirmed. This number has quickly escalated in the last week, following the first reported case on March 13.
Two deaths have also occurred.
“The risk of transmission is typically highest during the first week after contact with an infected person, and it sharply drops afterwards,” Lee remarked.
Many affected individuals are students from the University of Kent, and there are also cases reported in four schools in Kent and one higher education institution in London.
The local authority could not confirm if the outbreak had been contained as of Thursday.
Why is it unprecedented?
Experts highlight the unusual rate and spread of this outbreak over a short period.
Usually, meningitis cases in the UK happen in smaller clusters.
“In my 35 years in healthcare, this is the largest number of cases I’ve encountered in one weekend related to this infection,” shared Susan Hopkins, head of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). “This seems like a superspreader event, particularly within university residences,” she added.
The UKHSA was alerted to the first case on March 13 and promptly began contact tracing. Authorities in France notified the UK about a case involving a person linked to the university who was hospitalized in France on March 14.
Samples taken from patients are being analyzed, which may provide more insight into the strain and the reasons behind its aggressive spread.
What has the official response been?
Health officials are quickly identifying close contacts of those affected and have opened multiple health clinics in Canterbury to distribute antibiotics.
The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has urged anyone who visited the nightclub during the outbreak to seek antibiotics to help stop the infection from spreading.
“For the general public in the UK, the risk remains very low,” mentioned Zina Alfahl from the University of Galway’s School of Medicine.
Bacterial meningitis typically requires hospital treatment.
Vaccination can prevent it. The University of Kent has initiated a targeted vaccination campaign offering 5,000 doses to students on campus.
Although some meningitis vaccines are routinely given to children in the UK, the vaccine for MenB has only been part of the immunization schedule since 2015, when the UK became the first nation to include it.
In light of the outbreak, health minister Streeting indicated it isn’t necessary for people to panic-buy vaccines.
