Kent Meningitis Outbreak: Cases Rise to 29 as Family Mourns Teenager's Death
The family of a teenager who died from meningitis in the Kent outbreak have spoken of their "immeasurable loss" as the number of cases has jumped to 29. Juliette Kenny, an 18-year-old student, passed away on March 14, just one day after first showing symptoms, which included vomiting and discolouration in her cheeks.
Family's Heartbreaking Statement
In a statement to the Press Association, Juliette's father, Michael Kenny, described his daughter as having a "beautifully positive energy" and being "fit, healthy and strong" before her sudden death. He revealed that she had completed the practical assessment for her PE A-level on March 12, just days before falling ill.
Mr Kenny said, "No family should experience this pain and tragedy, and this can be avoided." He added that he wants his daughter's legacy to be "lasting change," and the family is now campaigning for teenagers and young people to be routinely given access to the meningitis B vaccination.
Outbreak Details and Response
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed that the number of cases linked to the outbreak has reached 29, up from 27 previously. This includes 18 confirmed cases and 11 "probable cases," all with links to Kent. Thirteen of the confirmed cases are meningitis B (menB), and all cases have required hospital admission. Juliette is one of two students who have died following the outbreak.
In response, hundreds of students and staff at the University of Kent campus queued for vaccines on Friday. By 8.45 am, around 700 people were in line outside the sports centre, with the clinic operating from 9 am to 5 pm. This followed a situation on Thursday where more than 100 students were turned away due to staffing issues, as demand exceeded capacity before the clinic closed at 5 pm.
Expert Analysis and Vaccination Efforts
Professor Robin May, chief scientific officer of the UKHSA, addressed the outbreak on Times Radio. He explained that a "staffing issue" led to people being turned away on Thursday, but stressed that there is no shortage of vaccine. He emphasised that prophylactic antibiotics have been given to those exposed, providing immediate protection, while the vaccination offers follow-up protection.
Prof May noted, "Typically, we see on average in the UK about one case of meningitis a day. This is obviously a much bigger number than that, so there's something unusual about this outbreak." Investigations are focusing on two possibilities:
- Something about the setting that enabled the bacteria to spread well in a particular club environment.
- The bacteria itself may have changed to become more transmissible or likely to cause disease.
He added that the genome for this bacteria is about 100 times bigger than Covid, making analysis complex. The UKHSA has published details of an initial genetic analysis, inviting researchers to examine the strain further. Similar strains have circulated in the UK for around five years, but more detailed analysis is required.
Vaccination and Antibiotic Statistics
As of 5 pm on Thursday, 2,360 vaccinations have been administered, and 9,840 doses of antibiotics have been given to those affected by the outbreak. The UKHSA has stated that the Bexsero vaccine for menB, used on the NHS, should offer protection against the identified strain.
Prof May concluded by highlighting the importance of learning from this outbreak to prevent future incidents, saying, "As with all pathogens, there's always much more we can learn, and by learning more about how they work, we hope to develop better ways to prevent them causing disease in the future."
