Meningitis outbreak hits UK

An outbreak of meningitis in England has been described as "unprecedented", with fears that it could spread to other parts of the country.

So far, two people — a university student and a teenage schoolgirl — have died as a result of the outbreak in Canterbury in the county of Kent, and on Wednesday morning, Sky News reported that there are now 20 confirmed cases. In a normal year, the entire United Kingdom would see around 350 cases.

"I wouldn't be surprised, for example, if in different parts of the country we see cases presented that are unconnected to this particular outbreak in Canterbury," Health Secretary Wes Streeting told the BBC.

"In every single one of those cases we will be testing whether there is a potential link back to the cluster in Canterbury."

The outbreak of the fast-spreading meningitis B strain of the virus, which infects the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, is believed to have been traced to a nightclub event on March 5, 6, and 7, at a venue that has now been closed.

'Of great concern'

Andrew Preston, a professor of microbial pathogenicity at the University of Bath, told the Daily Telegraph newspaper that the speed and size of the outbreak were "very unusual, and of great concern".

"It is important to characterize the cause of the outbreak," he said. "A sudden change in disease patterns could indicate something like a new strain with different behaviors. It will be important to ascertain the vaccination status of those affected."

The government plans to vaccinate around 5,000 students at the University of Kent, where a student died and which is being treated as a priority, even though five local schools have also been linked to the outbreak.

But Sky News reported that many students seemed to be staying away from campus, with lectures and exams switching to online, meaning that some of them had gone home for the Easter break early, and would not be around to get vaccinated.

Simon Clarke, an associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading, said the vaccine would take "a couple of months" to provide full protection.

"It requires a couple of doses and then the protection comes about two weeks after the second dose … it won't have a huge immediate effect, even if people start having it today," he added.

julian@mail.chinadailyuk.com