New meningitis outbreak declared in Britain as student pronounced dead

A student has died and two others are being treated for meningitis in Reading, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed.

The student who has died attended Henley College in Oxfordshire, a GP surgery confirmed.

One of the cases has been confirmed as meningitis B, which was the same strain behind the fatal cases in Kent earlier this year.

Close contacts to the cases are being given antibiotics as a precaution, UKHSA has said as it attempted to reassure the risk to the public remains low at the moment.

The health agency said in a statement today its specialists were "working with local authority and NHS partners following three cases of meningococcal infection (meningitis) in young people in Reading”.

Dr Rachel Mearkle, consultant in health protection, said: “We understand that many people will be affected by this sad news and would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family of this student.

“Students and staff will naturally be feeling worried about the likelihood of further cases, however meningococcal meningitis requires very close contact to spread and large outbreaks as we saw in Kent recently are thankfully rare.

“We are working closely with partners and have provided public health advice and precautionary antibiotic treatment to close contacts of the cases.

“Meningococcal disease does not spread easily and the risk to the wider public remains low.”

Hart Surgery in Henley-on-Thames said "staff and students" from Henley College, where the student attended, can go to the education establishment "as usual".

It wrote in a statement: "Dear patients. We have been in contact with the UK Health Security Agency this morning (14th May) regarding the very sad news that a student at Henley College has died with suspected meningococcal disease.

"They have confirmed that they are actively contacting those who may be at risk due to a close association with the student involved.

"If you have not been contacted by the UK Health Security Agency, then currently you do not require any treatment. Staff and students have been advised they can attend the college as usual.

"The number of confirmed cases is very low so there are currently no plans for a local emergency meningitis vaccination programme."

In March, two students from the University of Kent died after a meningitis outbreak in the area.

Juliette Kenny, 18, died after contracting the infection and was described by her family as "fit, healthy and strong" before her death.

Meningitis is an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and the spinal cord, usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

Bacterial meningitis is rarer but significantly more serious.

Symptoms develop suddenly and can include a high temperature, severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, sensitivity to light, drowsiness and seizures.

A rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it is a well-known warning sign, though it does not always appear.

The infection spreads through close contact with an infected person, including kissing, sharing drinks or vapes, or living in the same household.

It can also be passed on by people carrying the bacteria or virus without being ill themselves.

Meningitis Now’s chief executive Dr Tom Nutt said: “Everyone at Meningitis Now is deeply saddened and concerned to hear reports of a suspected outbreak of meningitis affecting young people in Reading and the surrounding area, including the tragic death of a young person.

“We would urge people to remain vigilant and aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease. Meningitis can become life-threatening very quickly and early diagnosis and treatment are absolutely vital.”

Anyone who suspects they or someone they know may have meningitis should call 999 or go to A&E immediately. If unsure, NHS 111 is available online or by phone.