In eastern England, the university town of Canterbury in the county of Kent reported an outbreak of meningitis B that has killed at least two people, including a high school student, and around a dozen young people were hospitalized this weekend of March 14-15.
According to authorities, who are trying to reassure the public, all cases appear linked to a party at a nightclub. The meningitis vaccines, which protect against a contagious bacterial infection with high mortality and lasting sequelae, do not always cover this particular strain.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting voiced concern about the outbreak cluster, where 700 doses of antibiotics have been distributed in the region, and pharmacies are beginning to run low on vaccines: “Since 2015, the meningitis B vaccine has been available for children, but most students have not been covered. Given the severity of the situation, we will commence a vaccination campaign in the coming days for students living in university accommodation.”
“Even before the public health incident was officially declared, we offered antibiotics to students who had been in close contact with the suspected cases. I am confident that the authorities have acted as quickly and as effectively as possible,” the Health Secretary added.
It is noted that an investigation will be conducted once the incident has concluded. The English health authority regards the risk of contagion spreading to the rest of the country as low.
