A meningitis outbreak across Kent has been elevated to a ‘national incident’, with 20 confirmed infections logged as of 18th March. The Health Secretary has characterised the transmission as ‘unprecedented‘, with antibiotics being handed out proactively in a bid to contain the disease.
But what drives meningitis transmission and why do young adults appear particularly vulnerable to this potentially deadly illness? Meningitis Now stresses that whilst anybody can develop the infection at any point in life, teenagers and young adults are at greater risk due to up to a quarter of this age group carrying the meningitis-causing bacteria at the rear of their throats.
In comparison, approximately one in 10 of the general population harbour this bacteria. Those carrying it may display no symptoms whatsoever yet can still pass it on.
Meningitis generally originates from bacterial or viral sources and transmits in a similar fashion to other such infections. This includes intimate personal contact, sneezing, coughing, and kissing.
The NHS notes that catching meningitis directly from someone obviously suffering with the condition is fairly rare, with transmission more commonly taking place through carriers who may be entirely oblivious to the fact they’re carrying the bacteria.
Furthermore, first-year university students may be particularly at risk due to close-quarters living arrangements coupled with new-found independence and being away from home for the first time.
According to the NHS, viral meningitis usually clears up on its own. However, bacterial meningitis requires urgent medical treatment and can lead to serious lifelong complications such as deafness.
Several treatments and vaccines are available for the condition. The NHS offers five different vaccines designed for various age groups, with additional information accessible here.
Treatment for bacterial meningitis in hospital typically lasts around one week. This may include intravenous antibiotics and fluids, as well as oxygen delivered through a face mask.
People with viral meningitis may be able to manage their condition at home using rest, pain relief medication, and anti-sickness tablets to alleviate symptoms whilst recovering.
The BBC’s health editor, Hugh Pym, explained that although the disease isn’t as infectious as illnesses like flu or Covid, meningitis can prove fatal much more rapidly than these other conditions.
Tragically, two people – a sixth-form student and a University of Kent student – have already died in the meningitis outbreak. Appearing on BBC Breakfast, the Health Secretary expressed: « What’s worried us about the Canterbury outbreak is the pace and extent of the spread of the disease that is unprecedented, and that’s why we are being so proactive in the provision of antibiotics, because they’re an effective treatment, but also standing up vaccination at a pace and in a way that we wouldn’t normally do. »
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