Kent meningitis cases decline as vaccine rollout continues

An outbreak of meningitis in Kent has seen its confirmed case count fall as a mass vaccination and antibiotic campaign for young people entered a fourth day.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said confirmed infections have been revised down from 23 to 20 following additional laboratory testing announced this morning.

Suspected cases currently under investigation also decreased, dropping from 11 to nine, bringing the combined total to 29 — down from 34 reported yesterday.

Nineteen of the 20 confirmed infections have been identified as meningitis B, and every confirmed patient has required hospital admission.

The UKHSA said further laboratory assessments are ongoing and it expects additional cases to be downgraded in the coming days.

Dr Sherine Thomas, an infectious diseases consultant at the 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,” she added, praising the public response to the campaign.

“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.”

NHS Kent and Medway reported that more than 8,000 meningitis B vaccines had been administered by Saturday evening, and 12,157 antibiotic courses had been given.

Two students have died in the outbreak: 18-year-old Juliette Kenny, whom her family described as “fit, healthy and strong” before her death, and another student from the University of Kent.