UK meningitis cases are rising amid 'explosive' outbreak

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that, as of 5pm on Tuesday, some 20 cases of meningitis had been reported to it, up from 15 on Tuesday.

Of these, nine cases have been confirmed in the lab and 11 remain under investigation.

Six of the confirmed cases have been confirmed as the meningitis B strain.

What is meningitis? The key symptoms to look out for

A statement said: “All those affected who are currently linked to the outbreak are young adults.

“UKHSA is aware of a baby with confirmed meningococcal group B infection who is not currently linked to the outbreak but UKHSA will continue to investigate this case.”

To combat the outbreak, GPs across the country will be advised to prescribe antibiotics to anyone who visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury between March 5-7, the UK Health Security Agency said.

UKHSA chief executive Susan Hopkins said: “This looks like a super-spreader event, with ongoing spread within the halls of residence in the universities.

“There will have been some parties particularly around this, so there will have been lots of social mixing.

“I can’t yet say where the initial infection came from, how it’s got into this cohort, and why it’s created such an explosive amount of infections.

“I can say that in my 35 years working in medicine, in healthcare and hospitals, this is the most cases I’ve seen in a single weekend with this type of infection.

“It’s the explosive nature that is unprecedented here – the number of cases in such a short space of time.

“NHS were initially managing it as a major incident in the region but they have now increased that overlay to having a national-level oversight as well.”

Olivier Picard, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme there was currently no stock of meningitis B vaccines for people to pay for privately.

He said pharmacies were used to “bridging the gap between what the NHS offers and what patients want”.

He said: “Unfortunately, that supply has run out, and most of our distributors, wholesalers have no stock. And whilst we’re hearing that there may be some stock in the system, it is taking its time to come into our fridges. There’s no date of resupply.

“Overnight, between sort of the hours of 11pm and 6am this morning, I have received over 100 appointments through our booking system in my pharmacies for vaccine we simply don’t have no idea when they will be available.

“We are at the mercy of the manufacturers and the wholesalers to supply our pharmacies, and our patients are worried. They want their children vaccinated.”

He described it as an “impossible situation”.

Meningitis symptoms

• a high temperature
• cold hands and feet
• vomiting
• 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)

And in babies:

• 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

Different types of meningitis 

Viral

• Viral meningitis is the most common form. It is rarely life-threatening but can still cause serious illness. It tends to resolve on its own, though can leave infected feeling very unwell during recovery.
• Mollaret's meningitis is a rare and recurring form of the disease. Mollaret's is a chronic condition, most often linked to infection with the Herpes Simplex virus type 2. 

Bacterial

• Bacterial meningitis is a serious and fast-moving condition that requires urgent hospital admission and prompt treatment with antibiotics to prevent life-threatening complications.
• Meningococcal disease. This term covers two major illnesses, meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning), which can occur independently but more often together, making it especially dangerous.
• Pneumococcal meningitis is a life-threatening infection that causes inflammation of the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord, it requires swift medical intervention.
• TB meningitis is caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. This form of the disease is linked to tuberculosis and can be difficult to diagnose due to its gradual onset.
• Group B streptococcal (GBS) meningitis is the leading cause of meningitis in babies, and can cause septicaemia and pneumonia, making it a significant concern in newborns.
• Neonatal meningitis affects newborns and is divided into "early onset" and "late onset", depending on how soon after birth the condition develops.
• E. coli meningitis is the second most common bacterial cause of meningitis in newborns. E. coli meningitis is a serious condition primarily affecting the very young.
• Hib meningitis is like pneumococcal meningitis, and is a life-threatening disease causing inflammation around the brain and spinal cord - though it has become much less common due to vaccination.
• Listeria meningitis is caused by Listeria bacteria found in certain foods like unpasteurised soft cheeses, pâté, and shellfish. This form can lead to potentially fatal complications.

Other 

• Fungal meningitis is a very rare form of the disease and shares similar symptoms but typically develops more gradually rather than suddenly.
• Chemical meningitis is unlike most other forms because it is not caused by an infection. Instead, it is triggered by exposure to a particular substance or chemical that causes inflammation.
• Parasitic meningitis is extremely rare and occurs when certain parasites infect and inflame the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
• Cryptococcal meningitis is caused by a fungus found in soil and bird droppings, and is most commonly seen in people with weakened immune systems.
• Non-infectious meningitis. Not all meningitis is the result of an infection; this variety is triggered by non-infectious causes like certain medications or other medical conditions.
• Malignant/carcinomatous meningitis is a serious condition when cancer cells spread to the meninges. It is associated with advanced cancer and presents significant treatment challenges.