The Kent Meningitis Outbreak

Over the last few weeks, the sudden outbreak of meningitis in Kent has served as a chilling reminder of the Covid-19 pandemic. News reports detailing vaccine rollouts, case statistics, and mask wearers loudly echo those publicised six years ago. The unwelcome, but familiar, feelings of anticipation and uncertainty have somewhat returned. However, with tentative thankfulness, as of 23 March, the outbreak has likely passed its peak, totalling twenty confirmed cases.

This unexpected wave of meningitis is thought to have originated from Club Chemistry, a nightclub in Canterbury, and has primarily spread amongst the University of Kent’s student population, resulting in the death of one of their students, whose name has not been disclosed. Juliette Kenny, an eighteen-year-old pupil, also passed away, just twelve hours after the onset of infection symptoms.

According to the NHS, these symptoms may include a high fever, vomiting, sensitivity to bright lights, and a rash that does not blanch when pressed with a clear glass.

These symptoms of disease can be caused by certain types of viruses and bacteria, the latter of which is the most life-threatening and currently afflicting Kent. Following an initial infection of the nasopharynx — which sits behind the nose — the bacterial pathogen responsible for the disease crosses into the nervous system, passing through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Once in the brain, the bacterium causes a build-up of inflammation, swelling, and pressure, along with further breakdown in the BBB, leading to long-term neurological damage.

It is this neurologic component of infection that is used to diagnose bacterial meningitis, usually via a lumbar puncture. This involves taking a sample of the fluid in the spine by inserting a long needle between the vertebrae. This fluid is then assessed using a special stain, which highlights the meningitis-causing bacterial cells.  

Aside from invading the nervous system, it is also common for the meningitis-causing bacterium to cross into the bloodstream. When this happens, the body’s immune system begins to aggressively attack itself, leading to septic shock and, if not tackled rapidly, death. Treatment typically involves administration of antibiotics and fluids intravenously, as well as steroids to reduce brain swelling if required.   

The particular bacteria responsible for the Kent outbreak are group B meningococcus (MenB), which is typically passed by close contact. Although vaccination offers the best protection against the disease, the MenB vaccine was only introduced in 2015 in the UK, and only for infants. This is because the Joint Committee on Vaccines and Immunisation (JCVI) advised the government that vaccinating teenagers against MenB was not cost-effective or overly necessary, since the vaccine does not prevent the transmission of the bacteria to others. However, the MenB vaccine does minimise the chance of severe illness, and as such, is currently being offered to students at the University of Kent and other universities in Canterbury, as well as eligible school pupils. Preventative antibiotics are also being offered for impacted individuals to try to kill any MenB present.

Because of these measures and the nature of the pathogen, the risk of meningitis for the rest of the UK remains low. Indeed, the bacterium can only be transmitted by prolonged physical interaction and is, thankfully, far less contagious than viruses such as SARS-CoV-2.

While the recent outbreak has certainly brought once-forgotten pandemic-era memories to the surface, it also highlighted how much society has changed to handle infectious diseases. It is hoped that any future outbreaks of a similar nature will be responded to and contained just as rapidly as this one.

Image from Wikimedia Commons