"The meningitis outbreak in our area is a huge shock. Feeling so deeply sad for the young lives lost a year 13 pupil at QEGS [Queen Elizabeth's grammar school] and a uni of Kent student. My heart goes out to their families. It's incredibly worrying too for the families of the young people in hospital, and others at risk."
"The fast-acting disease is caused by meningococcal bacteria spreading to the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, which causes meningitis, and infecting the bloodstream, which causes sepsis. Symptoms include rashes, a sudden fever, severe headaches, a stiff neck, vomiting and diarrhoea, joint and muscle pain, sensitivity to bright lights, cold hands and feet, seizures, confusion and extreme sleepiness."
"The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it had provided antibiotics to students in the Canterbury area after it detected 13 cases of invasive meningococcal disease; a combination of meningitis and septicaemia. UKHSA specialists have been interviewing the families of those affected to identify close contacts and to arrange antibiotics."
An outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease in Kent has resulted in two confirmed deaths: a Year 13 pupil at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School and a University of Kent student. Thirteen cases of the disease have been detected in the Canterbury area, with 11 people currently hospitalized. The UK Health Security Agency has distributed antibiotics to students in the region and is conducting interviews with affected families to identify close contacts. Invasive meningococcal disease combines meningitis and septicaemia, caused by meningococcal bacteria spreading to the brain and spinal cord fluid and infecting the bloodstream. Symptoms include rashes, fever, severe headaches, stiff neck, vomiting, diarrhoea, joint and muscle pain, light sensitivity, cold extremities, seizures, confusion, and extreme sleepiness. The specific disease strain remains unidentified.
#meningitis-outbreak #invasive-meningococcal-disease #kent-canterbury #public-health-response #disease-symptoms-and-prevention
Read at www.theguardian.com
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