Britons have been urged to remain vigilant about the warning signs of meningitis after a fresh cluster of cases in Reading claimed one life and left two others requiring medical attention. The latest cases, confirmed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) today, emerge just weeks after an outbreak in Kent where two people died and several others fell ill.
Latest Outbreak Details
One of the cases identified in Reading has been confirmed as meningitis B — the same strain responsible for the cluster in Kent. The student who died was enrolled at Henley College in Oxfordshire. The UKHSA has stated that close contacts are being offered antibiotics as a precautionary measure, and emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low.
While meningitis can strike anyone, babies, young children, teenagers, and university students are considered among the most vulnerable groups, owing to close contact in schools, nurseries, and shared accommodation. There are several forms of meningococcal disease, including MenB, MenC, MenW, and MenY, with vaccinations available to help guard against some of the most serious strains.
Meningitis Symptoms
According to the NHS, meningitis symptoms can emerge suddenly and in any order, with some signs potentially not appearing at all. When the bacteria responsible for meningitis enter the bloodstream, they can trigger a severe immune response, leading to life-threatening sepsis. The NHS strongly advises seeking immediate medical assistance if you are concerned about yourself or your child.
Symptoms of meningitis and sepsis include:
- a high temperature
- cold hands and feet
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- confusion
- breathing quickly
- muscle and joint pain
- pale, mottled, or blotchy skin (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin)
- spots or a rash (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin)
- headache
- a stiff neck
- a dislike of bright lights
- being very sleepy or difficult to wake
- fits (seizures)
Babies may also:
- refuse feeds
- be irritable
- have a high-pitched cry
- have a stiff body or be floppy or unresponsive
- have a bulging soft spot on the top of their head
Someone with meningitis or sepsis can get a lot worse very quickly.
Meningitis Rash
While meningitis is frequently linked to a rash, not every person suffering from the illness will develop one. In certain instances, a rash may only emerge during the later stages, while early marks can occasionally disappear when pressure is applied. Medical professionals advise that people should not depend solely on the presence of a rash when identifying signs of meningitis, as symptoms can differ from one person to another.
How Meningitis Is Spread
Meningitis can be transmitted through close contact with someone who has the illness. This includes:
- contact with the person's spit, such as kissing them, or sharing drinks or vapes
- being in close contact with the person for a lot of time, such as living in the same home
The infection is typically passed on by those who carry the viruses or bacteria responsible for meningitis in their nose or throat, yet display no symptoms themselves. The infection can also be transmitted by someone suffering from meningitis, although this is less frequent.
Meningitis Vaccine
There are a number of vaccinations available throughout the UK that provide protection against meningitis. Children should receive the majority of these as part of the NHS vaccination programme, but parents who are uncertain whether their child's vaccinations are current should contact their GP.
The MenB vaccine provides protection against meningococcal group B bacteria, which are a prevalent cause of meningitis in young children across the UK. The vaccine is advised for babies aged 8 weeks, followed by a second dose at 12 weeks and a booster at 1 year. Additional vaccinations that provide a degree of protection against the illness include the 6-in-1 vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, MMRV vaccine, and MenACWY vaccine. Further details on each of these vaccines can be found on the NHS website.
