Mass antibiotics, vaccination: Deadly meningitis outbreak spreads in England

British health authorities are racing to contain what officials have described as an “unprecedented” outbreak of meningococcal disease in southwest England that has left two people dead and at least 15 infected, with cases linked to a popular student nightclub.

The outbreak, centered around the city of Canterbury, has triggered an emergency response by the UK Health Security Agency, including contact tracing, large-scale antibiotic distribution and a targeted vaccination campaign. In-person exams at the University of Kent were canceled this week as a precaution, the New York Times writes.

“This is an unprecedented outbreak,” Wes Streeting, Britain’s health secretary, said on March 17. “It is also a rapidly developing situation.”

The first case was reported to health authorities on March 13. Most infections have been traced to a nightclub in Canterbury frequented by students. Officials have urged anyone who visited the venue on March 5, 6 or 7 to come forward to receive preventive antibiotics.

A student at the University of Kent died after contracting meningitis, the university announced on March 15. An 18-year-old student at a high school in Faversham, about 10 miles from Canterbury, died on March 14 from the infection, according to the BBC.

Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria and spreads through prolonged close contact. It can manifest as meningitis — an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord — or septicemia, a bloodstream infection. Both conditions can be fatal. About one in 20 people who develop meningococcal disease dies, according to the Oxford Vaccine Group, and roughly one in five survivors experiences long-term complications such as hearing loss or seizures.

Authorities have also confirmed a related case in France involving a person who attended the University of Kent, Streeting said, and at least two cases have been identified in local high schools. More than 700 doses of antibiotics have been administered since March 13.

Investigators have identified some infections as Group B meningococcal disease. Britain’s National Health Service began offering routine vaccinations for the Men B strain to infants in 2015, but those born before that year were not included in the programme.

“These students do not have immunity to Men B, which is the cause of this outbreak,” said Eliza Gil, a clinical lecturer at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Dr. Gil noted that many people can carry meningitis-causing bacteria without symptoms, but transmission can occur in close-contact settings such as nightclubs, through shared drinks or vapes, coughing, sneezing or singing.

In Canterbury, four treatment centres have been opened, stocked with a combined 11,000 doses of antibiotics to treat those potentially exposed. Lines of students — some wearing masks — have formed this week to receive precautionary medication. Streeting said a targeted vaccination drive would also be rolled out for University of Kent students living in residence halls.

Health officials warned that symptoms, including fever, headache, stiff neck and rash, can be mistaken — particularly among young people — for a hangover or minor illness. They urged anyone experiencing such signs to seek immediate medical attention.

Dr. Gil added that outbreaks of meningococcal disease are typically geographically contained because transmission requires close contact, but advised students to complete their antibiotic courses before traveling for the Easter holidays.

By Sabina Mammadli