Meningitis outbreak in UK

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Two young deaths in Kent. Four of 15 cases are Meningitis B Caused by meningococcal bacteria, not viral Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly Check friends who are off sick Officials fear the outbreak has already spread beyond Kent UKHSA admitted it knew a cluster of cases a full day before telling the public on Sunday night. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cases-of-invasive-meningococcal-disease-confirmed-in-kent Meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia Classic triad Pyrexia, headache, meningism Meningism Headache, photophobia, neck stiffness, lower back signs A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass Sudden onset of high fever Severe and worsening headache Vomiting and diarrhoea Joint and muscle pain Very cold hands and feet Seizures Confusion/delirium Extreme sleepiness/difficulty waking Incubation period is from two to seven days Onset of disease varies from mild prodromal symptoms to fulminant illness with death occurring within 24 hours of the first symptoms. The infection is fatal in 5% to 10% of cases Do not rely on spotting the rash, which is linked to sepsis Rash can occur alongside meningitis but does not happen in every case. Many people with meningitis never develop a rash at all. Survivors may develop severe long-term complications including hearing loss, severe visual impairment, communication problems, limb amputation(s), seizures, and brain damage. Useful points Paracetamol will lower temperature Good nutrition and vitamin D Transmission https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6849adb83a2aa5ba84d1df71/Meningococcal-green_book_chapter-22-10-6-25.pdf Aerosol, droplets, or direct contact with respiratory secretions of someone carrying the organism. Close / prolonged contact is necessary There is a marked seasonal variation in meningococcal disease, with peak levels in the winter months declining to low levels by late summer. This outbreak Antibiotics being given to people who attended Club Chemistry on March 5,6,7th Highly effective at preventing the disease and transmission Routine childhood immunisations, those aged over 10 have not received it Vaccination soon, Canterbury Campus Halls of Residence at the University of Kent Current vaccines are NOT live and NOT mRNA based Young people going on to university or college for the first time, particularly at risk of meningitis, mix with other students, some of whom are unknowingly carrying the bacteria at the back of their nose and throat. MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS AND SEPTICAEMIA https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6849adb83a2aa5ba84d1df71/Meningococcal-green_book_chapter-22-10-6-25.pdf https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/vaccination/ Meningeal layers, Dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater Meningococci are Gram-negative diplococci, Divided into antigenically distinct, polysaccharide capsule groups. A, B, C, E, H, I, K, L, W, X, Y, and Z, groups B, C, W and Y are the most common causes of invasive disease in the UK. Meningococci colonise the nasopharynx of humans, especially adolescents and young adults, and are frequently harmless commensals. It is not fully understood why disease develops in some individuals but not in others. Age, season, smoking, preceding viral infection and living in ‘closed’ or ‘semi-closed’ communities, such as university halls of residence or military barracks