The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported 15 cases of meningitis (Image: Getty )
While the danger to the broader public remains minimal, the meningitis outbreak in Kent has underlined how rapidly meningococcal disease can escalate. It is essential to treat it promptly, so recognising the signs and symptoms, as well as the measures to reduce your risk, is important.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported 15 cases of meningitis. All of these cases required hospital treatment, and four were confirmed as MenB infections.
This announcement follows the UKHSA’s identification of the MenB strain, a severe bacterial meningitis strain, as the cause of the ongoing outbreak in Kent. Tragically, two young people, an 18-year-old sixth-form student and a university student, have lost their lives after contracting this illness, reports the Mirror.
Speaking in the Houses of Parliament today (March 17), the Health Secretary Wes Streeting said most students would not already be vaccinated against MenB, adding that the jabs will begin in the next few days. He told MPs: « This is an unprecedented outbreak. It is also a rapidly developing situation. »
He said the MenB vaccine has been available on the NHS since 2015 as part of routine childhood immunisations, « but clearly most students would not be vaccinated ». He added: « Given the severity of the situation, I can confirm to the House that we will begin a targeted vaccination programme for students living in halls of residence at the University of Kent in Canterbury, which will begin in the coming days. » So far, 700 doses of antibiotics have been distributed to people who may require them.
Read more: Meningitis outbreak – how to check if your child has had vaccine
Read more: Dr Amir Khan warns three ‘initial’ symptoms could signal meningitis
There are four centres open in Canterbury providing antibiotics, with 11,000 doses available on site, Mr Streeting informed MPs. Wes Streeting stated: « The onset of illness is often sudden, and early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are vital. It doesn’t spread very easily. The bacteria are passed to others after a long period of close contact. For example, living with someone in shared accommodation, through prolonged kissing, or sharing vapes and drinks. »
The UKHSA’s most recent annual figures for England reveal 378 confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal disease in 2024/25, an increase from 340 in 2023/24, with MenB accounting for 313 of those cases. Health officials say outbreaks can occur in settings where people share living space, such as university halls, and that early symptoms can be easy to mistake for flu, a cold, or a hangover.
Meningitis is a severe illness that causes the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord, known as meninges, to become inflamed. There are many reasons this occurs, but in the UK, most cases are caused by bacteria or viruses.
Some bacteria that cause meningitis can also lead to septicaemia, which is blood poisoning, and both of these conditions can cause sepsis, a life-threatening situation. Anyone can get meningitis, but it is most often seen in babies, young children, teenagers, and young adults.
Students have been queueing to receive antibiotics at the University of Kent in Canterbury (Image: Getty)
1. Ensure all vaccines are up to date
Several vaccines provided free of charge by the NHS can help safeguard against certain causes of meningitis and septicaemia:
- MenB vaccine: For babies given at eight weeks, 12 weeks, and one year
- Six-in-one vaccine: For babies given at eight, 12 and 16 weeks
- Pneumococcal vaccine: Two doses for babies given at 16 weeks and one year; single dose for adults aged 65+
- Hib/MenC vaccine: For babies given at one year (if born on or before 30 June 2024)
- MMR vaccine: For babies given at one year, with a second dose at 18 months
- MenACWY vaccine: For teenagers aged 13 to 14
The MenB vaccine does not protect against all MenB strains. A statement on Gov.uk reads: « This is why we always raise awareness of signs and symptoms alongside the available vaccines. »
2. Don’t share drinks, bottles or straws
Dr Tina Ardon, a family medicine physician at Mayo Clinic, says bacterial meningitis can spread through sharing straws or drinks, which makes this one of the simplest risky habits to eliminate immediately. In student accommodation, pubs, nightclubs and evenings out, it is precisely the type of ‘harmless’ behaviour people do without thinking.
3. Wash your hands properly – not just quickly
Dr Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert at Mayo Clinic, says proper handwashing means using soap, cleaning between the fingers, thumbs, backs of the hands and fingernails, and doing it for around 20 seconds. He also points out that taps and door handles are dirty touchpoints, which is why using a paper towel to turn the tap off matters.
4. Don’t shrug off ‘hangover-like’ symptoms in yourself or your mates
The UKHSA cautions that meningococcal disease can initially resemble flu. However, a person who is seriously ill will often deteriorate significantly within hours. Its public advice encourages friends to look out for each other and keep checking on anyone who appears unwell, as early treatment can be lifesaving.
Those with symptoms should ring NHS 111 or in an emergency dial 999.
5. Don’t share vapes
Shane Margereson, a vaping industry expert and owner of Ecigone, stated: « Just like smoking, many people will pass a vape to a friend without thinking about it, but this is something you should never do. Vaping devices come into direct contact with the mouth and can transfer saliva from one person to another.
« During outbreaks of infectious illnesses, sharing anything that involves saliva, including vaping, will increase your risk of spreading bacteria and viruses. This can expose you to common viral infections like colds and flu, and also more serious illnesses such as meningitis, which can spread through close contact with respiratory droplets and saliva. »
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