UK meningitis cases rise again to 29

2026-03-20 - 14:11

Students wearing face masks queue up to get vaccinated at the University of Kent in Canterbury, south-east England, following an outbreak of meningitis. (AFP pic) LONDON: The number of meningitis cases being probed by UK authorities rose again Friday from 27 to 29, latest figures showed, although the rate of increase appeared to have slowed. The continued rise in cases came as the father of one of the two young people who died — 18-year-old Juliette Kenny — called for “urgent action” on vaccinating young people against meningitis B. The outbreak, which came to light at the weekend, has been centred on the University of Kent in southeastern Canterbury and a nightclub popular with students. The other young person who died was a 21-year-old student, according to authorities. The university has rolled out a targeted vaccination programme for the deadly bacterial strain for some 5,000 students with hundreds of students queueing on campus daily to get the jab. Michael Kenny called for “urgent action” on vaccinating young people against meningitis B. Babies have only been routinely vaccinated against the disease since 2015. Juliette Kenny died on March 14, only a day after first showing symptoms. “The illness took her from us so quickly,” her father said in a statement to the PA news agency, describing her as having a “beautifully positive energy”. Kenny and the Meningitis Research Foundation are calling for the UK to take urgent action to improve access to the menB vaccination for teenagers and young people. “No family should experience this pain and tragedy,” he said. “Juliette’s impact on this world must be lasting change. Now is the time to ensure families are safe from the impact of meningitis B,” he added. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in a statement: “18 laboratory cases are confirmed and 11 notifications remain under investigation, bringing the total to 29.” Vinny Smith, chief executive of the Meningitis Research Foundation, said it had previously called for the menB jab to be made “routinely available” on the state-funded National Health Service. The suggestion was not taken forward after health authorities judged it “not to be cost effective”, she added. Meningitis is a potentially deadly infection which can lead to sepsis if it affects the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is most common in young children, teenagers and young adults. Initial symptoms of meningitis include headache, fever, drowsiness and a stiff neck — but those are symptoms of different illnesses too and can hamper prompt diagnosis. It can progress rapidly, with another sign often being a rash, and is spread through prolonged close contact, including kissing or the sharing of vapes or drinks.