Arabic version: وكالة الصحة في كينت تُبلغ عن انخفاض في حالات التهاب السحايا
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has announced that the peak of a meningitis outbreak in Kent has passed. This outbreak, linked to a Canterbury nightclub, has resulted in 29 confirmed or suspected cases and two fatalities. According to BBC News, UKHSA’s regional deputy director for the South East, Trish Mannes, confirmed the peak has been surpassed but cautioned that new cases may still emerge.
On Sunday, the count of confirmed cases decreased from 23 to 20, while suspected cases fell from 11 to nine following additional testing. No further changes to these figures were reported on Monday. As part of the response to the outbreak, four clinics have reopened to provide antibiotics and vaccinations to those eligible.
The clinics, located at the University of Kent’s sports centre, Kent and Canterbury Hospital in Canterbury, Vicarage Lane Clinic in Ashford, and Faversham Health Centre, have administered over 9,300 vaccinations and provided preventative antibiotics to 12,700 individuals. Mannes stated that the decision to keep vaccination centers operational is under daily review.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting commended the efforts of healthcare workers in managing the outbreak and ensuring public safety. The two fatalities include 18-year-old Juliette Kenny from Faversham and a 21-year-old University of Kent student. The strain responsible for the outbreak is Meningitis B (MenB), which has not been routinely vaccinated against for older teenagers until recently.
