The number of cases of meningitis linked to an outbreak in Kent has dropped as thousands of young people in the area are vaccinated against the disease. Confirmed cases have fallen from 23 to 20, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in an update on Sunday morning, after they were downgraded following further testing.
Meanwhile, suspected cases under investigation have also fallen from 11 to nine, meaning the total number of cases is 29, down from 34 on Saturday. Two people, 18 year old Juliette Kenny, and an unnamed University of Kent student, have died following the start of the outbreak. And now a doctor has explained whether a national lockdown in an effort to halt the spread of the outbreak is on the cards.
Dr Ahmed, who has almost half a million followers on TikTok, where he describes himself as « healthcare Gordon Ramsay », said he recognised people are concerned about the outbreak, but issued a note of caution.
« Ok, untwist your panties, put them back in the drawer, and listen, » he said. « Yes, the meningitis outbreak now involves 29 people, and two of them have died, and a nine-month-old child is struggling for their life in ICU. It is very scary. But at the same time we have seen one of the fastest national healthcare responses from the government [in] the last decade, with over 6,000 courses of antibiotics and over 25,000 courses of vaccines given out to people who are at risk. »
He added meningitis spreads « very differently » from a virus such as Covid-19, and said a national lockdown is « very unlikely » for two reasons.
« Number one, meningitis needs very close contact and sharing utensils and vapes, things that would normally have body fluids on them, in order to spread from person to person, » he said. « It does not just spread over long distances through the air.
« And number two, this kind of outbreak is not entirely unexpected. The UK has three to 400 cases of meningitis B in a year that break out in small outbreaks like this. What is unprecedented about this outbreak is that the outbreak can be traced to literally one single location, and the fact that it’s meningitis B, something that we don’t routinely vaccinate our young teenagers for. »
Urging people to « keep calm », he concluded: « So yes, while it’s very scary that it can just start symptoms within two days and then kill someone within another couple of days, it just doesn’t have the characteristics that will allow for a national outbreak and a lockdown. »
NHS Kent and Medway reported more than 9,078 meningitis B vaccines had been distributed as of Saturday evening while 12,595 antibiotics had been administered, reports the Mirror.
What is meningitis?
The NHS describes meningitis as « an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord ». It states the condition can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers, and young adults.
The organisation cautions meningitis can be extremely serious if not treated promptly, and can trigger sepsis, which can prove fatal. It can also lead to lasting damage to the brain or nerves.
It is typically caused by a bacterial or viral infection – bacterial meningitis is less common, but more severe, and it is this form of the disease which the two people in Kent died from. Infections can be transmitted by sneezing, coughing, or kissing, and is generally passed on by people carrying the virus or bacteria in their nose or throat, but who are not unwell themselves.
What are the symptoms of meningitis?
The NHS states symptoms of meningitis can emerge rapidly and in any sequence. Someone with meningitis may not experience all these symptoms. They can include:
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