"The number of cases of meningitis linked to an outbreak in Kent has risen to 27, up from 20, the UK Health Security Agency has said. Prof Robin May, the chief scientific officer at the UKHSA, said it was a very unusual outbreak. To date, 600 meningitis B vaccines have been administered at the University of Kent Canterbury campus after hundreds of students joined a queue outside the campus sports centre."
"One school pupil and one university student died and 18 more cases were being investigated by the UKHSA, with some young people placed in induced comas. The UKHSA issued an alert for the NHS across England on Wednesday about signs and symptoms of meningitis to look out for, though this does not signal the outbreak is going to spread nationwide."
"GPs across the country have also been told to prescribe antibiotics to anyone who visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury from 5-7 March, plus students from the University of Kent. This is to ensure anyone who has left campus can get the right treatment. The UKHSA stressed the NHS was well stocked for menB vaccines after pharmacies reported they were struggling to obtain the jabs for people who want to pay privately."
A meningitis B outbreak centered in Kent has escalated to 27 confirmed cases, with one school pupil and one university student deceased. The outbreak is described as very unusual by the UK Health Security Agency's chief scientific officer. Over 600 meningitis B vaccines have been administered at the University of Kent Canterbury campus. Cases have been identified at two universities and five schools across the region. The UKHSA issued a nationwide NHS alert about meningitis symptoms and instructed GPs to prescribe antibiotics to individuals who visited specific locations or attended the University of Kent. Eighteen additional cases are under investigation, with some patients in induced comas. The NHS maintains adequate vaccine supplies despite private pharmacy shortages.
#meningitis-b-outbreak #kent-public-health #vaccination-campaign #disease-prevention #educational-institutions
Read at www.theguardian.com
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