Health secretary praises ‘Herculean’ meningitis outbreak response

Health secretary Wes Streeting has paid tribute to the ‘Herculean efforts’ taken to tackle the Kent meningitis outbreak, while officials have suggested the peak of the surge has passed.

The latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that the number of confirmed cases of the diseases have dropped from 23 to 20 following laboratory tests and clinical investigation.

The number under investigation has also fallen from 11 to nine, with the agency saying it expected more probable cases to be downgraded in the coming days.

Trish Mannes, UKHSA regional deputy director for the South East, told BBC Radio Kent on Monday that the peak had passed, but warned people against being ‘too optimistic’ because there is still a lot to understand about what happened.

In a statement on Sunday Mr Streeting thanked UKHSA officials and NHS teams, as well as school, college and university staff, and the ‘thousands of students, pupils and other members of the public who have so readily and responsibly come forward for antibiotics and vaccination’.

He said: ‘It has been an incredibly difficult week for those affected and for those working on the frontline response to this outbreak.

‘As we look ahead to another challenging week, I wanted to pay tribute to the Herculean efforts of everyone who has worked tirelessly to care for those affected and keep people safe.

A total of 9,360 vaccines have been given as part of the targeted vaccination programme, and 12,733 antibiotics have been handed out, NHS Kent and Medway has reported.

UKHSA also thanked partners including the NHS and the University of Kent for their ‘rapid support’ in handing out antibiotics and vaccines to those who needed it.

It also confirmed that eligible University of Kent students who have returned home can now access both the MenB vaccination and preventative antibiotic treatment from their local GP practices.

Dr Sherine Thomas, infectious diseases consultant at UKHSA, said: ‘We continue to remain vigilant for new cases and work closely with NHS England and local authorities across the country, to ensure that any new cases identified are responded to as quickly as possible.

‘It’s reassuring to have seen so many eligible young people come forward for antibiotics and vaccination, and we’d like to thank everyone involved in this effort so far.

‘Although the risk to the wider population remains low, it is still really important that people know the symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease and seek immediate medical attention if they or anyone they know develops them.  UKHSA continues to work with partners to identify contacts and offer necessary treatment.’

Meningococcal disease (meningitis and sepsis) is an uncommon but serious disease caused by meningococcal bacteria. Very occasionally, the meningococcal bacteria can cause serious illness, (inflammation of the lining of the brain) and sepsis (blood poisoning).

The onset of illness is often sudden and early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are vital. Early symptoms, which may not always be present, include:

• a rash that doesn’t fade when pressed with a glass;
• sudden onset of high fever;
• severe and worsening headache;
• stiff neck;
• vomiting and diarrhoea;
• joint and muscle pain;
• dislike of bright lights;
• very cold hands and feet;
• seizures;
• confusion/delirium;
• extreme sleepiness/difficulty waking.