What is meningitis B? Symptoms, vaccine and what to avoid as NHS staff issued urgent warning
The Independent • • health
Key Points:
- Health officials are investigating 27 cases of meningitis linked to an outbreak in Kent, an increase from 20, with two fatalities reported; the outbreak has spread to a second university and a London student is also affected.
- The UK Health Security Agency is conducting tests to confirm the meningitis strain, with some cases confirmed as meningitis B, a serious and aggressive bacterial infection responsible for most meningococcal cases and deaths in the UK.
- Hundreds who attended Club Chemistry in Canterbury on 5-7 March have been advised to seek preventative antibiotic treatment, and a targeted vaccination campaign is underway at the University of Kent.
- Meningitis symptoms include high fever, headache, vomiting, rash, and confusion, with early medical
