An outbreak of meningitis is being investigated by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which says 13 cases have been notified since March 13, and has resulted in two deaths
Experts say the meningitis outbreak is the worst to hit the UK for at least 10 years.
One doctor has described the pattern as “very focused and affecting a lot of people” as thousands of students in Canterbury, Kent, seek precautionary antibiotics. Parents up and down the country have expressed concern at the grim news, particularly following the confirmation two young people have died.
But several experts have spoken to reporters about how students everywhere can keep safe — and what parents can do to help. Rob Galloway, an emergency medicine consultant at University Hospitals Sussex in Brighton, said students in shared accommodation can take steps to try to prevent the spread of meningococcal bacteria.
He also said, for instance, wearing a mask can reduce the likelihood of spreading the infection. Students were photographed on the University of Kent campus on Monday wearing masks as they desperately tried to dodge infection.
READ MORE: Timeline of killer Kent meningitis outbreak: From 2,000 people at club nights to tragedyREAD MORE: Wales mum in coma after brain infection turned out to be meningitis
There has been in recent years an alarming drop in take-up rates of meningitis vaccines offered to teenagers. Andrew Preston, a professor of microbial pathogenicity at the University of Bath, acknowledges this may be a factor in the outbreak, which he described as “extremely dangerous”.
“We haven’t seen anything on this scale for many years. In fact, I can’t remember the last time so many people have been struck down at the same time. In the past, we would see clusters of cases and they tended to be sporadic, but this outbreak is very focused and affecting a lot of people,” Professor Preston said.
And he stressed first-year uni students appear most vulnerable as they typically party together and have more social interaction than the other younger age groups. Groups of students attended events at Club Chemistry, a nightclub in Canterbury, recently, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says anyone who has done should take precautionary antibiotics.
Why are first-year students so vulnerable?
While up to 20 per cent of the general population carry the Meningococcal bacteria responsible, at the back of their throats, this rises to one in four young adults aged between 15 to 19. What makes students vulnerable is that they typically party together and have more social interaction than the other younger age groups, experts say.
Professor Preston, of the University of Bath, added: “We think that getting meningitis is completely accidental, caused by a breach in the nasal lining or something else that happens to allow the bacteria access into the bloodstream.”
Juliette, an 18-year-old sixth college student, died, her school confirmed yesterday. The teenager, of Faverham, Kent, was described as “incredibly kind, thoughtful and intelligent” in touching tributes.
When should I seek medical help for my child?
Students are being urged to keep an eye out for worrying symptoms in their friends, even if they have been vaccinated.
Professor Galloway, of the hospital in Brighton, told Good Health: “Having the meningitis vaccine does not completely rule out meningitis. The vaccines protect against some causes of meningitis, but not all.”
He stressed that acting quickly is vital and warns people not to wait for the telltale red rash that does not fade under pressure from a glass, as this can indicate the infection has spread beyond the brain and into the body.
“People will often develop a fever and confusion first, along with muscle and joint pain, and sometimes coughs and sneezes. Later, they may develop spots or a rash, which can be a sign that sepsis is developing.”
Is there a risk in shared student accommodation?
Professor Galloway continued: “The infection is spread via saliva and droplets, so it can be transmitted via shared utensils, cutlery, cups and even toothbrushes. Try to use your own utensils and keep surfaces clean and tidy, though the risk is low.”
Sharing cigarettes is also not advised.
Should my child wear a mask at university?
Because the bacteria is spread through the air in droplets, wearing a mask can reduce the likelihood of spreading the infection, says Professor Galloway, adding that wearing a mask may be a sensible choice for students at the University of Kent in crowded areas, but is not necessarily appropriate for all students everywhere.
How can I protect my child against it?
The ACWY vaccine offers protection against four types of bacteria that can cause meningitis: meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y. It is offered to teenagers aged 14 years old, and to people up to the age of 25 who’ve never had a vaccine containing meningitis C.
Professor Preston says uptake of the ACWY vaccine among adolescents is around 73 per cent, “so there are a lot of unvaccinated students which may reduce herd immunity”.
Meningitis B is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK, but while there is a vaccine the NHS only offers it to babies and those with specific underlying medical conditions. Otherwise. it is only available at private clinics and pharmacies including Boots and Superdrug. The course requires two doses which are usually taken one month apart and cost up to £200.
