A student at Henley College has died and two other young people are receiving treatment following a meningitis outbreak in Reading, as confirmed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). One of the cases has been identified as meningitis B (MenB), the same strain responsible for a cluster of fatal cases in Kent earlier this year.
UKHSA Response and Precautionary Measures
Close contacts of the affected individuals are being offered antibiotics as a precautionary measure, the agency stated, while reassuring the public that the overall risk remains low. In a statement released on Thursday, UKHSA specialists noted they are “working with local authority and NHS partners following three cases of meningococcal infection (meningitis) in young people in Reading.”
The student who died attended Henley College in Oxfordshire, according to the Hart Surgery in Henley-on-Thames. The GP surgery issued a statement saying, “We have been in contact with the UK Health Security Agency this morning (14th May) regarding the very sad news that a student at Henley College has died with suspected meningococcal disease. They have confirmed that they are actively contacting those who may be at risk due to a close association with the student involved. If you have not been contacted by the UK Health Security Agency, then currently you do not require any treatment. Staff and students have been advised they can attend the college as usual. The number of confirmed cases is very low so there are currently no plans for a local emergency meningitis vaccination programme.”
Recent Meningitis Outbreaks in Kent
Earlier this year, two students died in a meningitis outbreak in the Kent area. In March, 18-year-old Juliette Kenny, described by her family as “fit, healthy and strong” before her death, and a University of Kent student both succumbed to the disease.
Dr Rachel Mearkle, a consultant in health protection, expressed condolences and addressed concerns: “We understand that many people will be affected by this sad news and would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family of this student. Students and staff will naturally be feeling worried about the likelihood of further cases, however meningococcal meningitis requires very close contact to spread and large outbreaks as we saw in Kent recently are thankfully rare. We are working closely with partners and have provided public health advice and precautionary antibiotic treatment to close contacts of the cases. Meningococcal disease does not spread easily and the risk to the wider public remains low.”
Advice from Meningitis Now
Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive of Meningitis Now, stated: “Everyone at Meningitis Now is deeply saddened and concerned to hear reports of a suspected outbreak of meningitis affecting young people in Reading and the surrounding area, including the tragic death of a young person. We would urge people to remain vigilant and aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease. Meningitis can become life-threatening very quickly and early diagnosis and treatment are absolutely vital.” According to Dr Nutt, symptoms can appear in “any order” and may include a high temperature, severe headache, vomiting, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion, drowsiness, cold hands and feet, severe muscle pain, and a rash that does not fade under pressure. He added, “Teenagers and young adults are among the groups most at risk from meningococcal disease, and the recent outbreak in Kent has shown how quickly cases can emerge.”
