What is the situation?
There have been three confirmed cases of meningococcal infection (meningitis) in young people in Weymouth, Dorset.
Two of the cases attend Budmouth Academy, and the other attends Wey Valley Academy. Investigations have determined that two cases that attend Budmouth Academy are contacts of each other, however no contact has currently been established between these cases and the third case at Wey Valley Academy.
Is this outbreak linked to the Kent outbreak?
This cluster in Dorset is not connected to the recent Kent outbreak.
How many people have died?
All three cases have received treatment and are recovering.
Do you expect this outbreak to be similar to the recent cases in Kent?
Meningococcal disease does not spread easily, and outbreaks like we have seen recently in Kent are currently rare. These cases are not linked to the Kent outbreak and it is important to be aware that this outbreak is not on the same scale as we saw in Kent in terms of speed of transmission or severity. It is possible that we will see further cases linked to these latest cases in Weymouth, but all necessary public health action is underway to try and prevent further cases.
Is there a risk this could spread further?
It is possible we will see further cases linked to these latest cases in Weymouth – but it is important to be aware that this outbreak is not on the same scale as we saw in Kent in terms of speed of transmission or severity.
Is this a more unusual transmission pattern than what we usually see? What is UKHSA doing to understand this?
UKHSA and others continue to undertake studies and research to understand more about meningococcal disease and how it is behaving. Around 300 to 400 cases of meningococcal disease are diagnosed in England every year, and we do see clusters. The wider public health action is being taken in Weymouth because sensitive strain typing has told us that the third case, which occurred quickly following the first two linked cases, is the same strain but there is no epidemiological link to the two cases. This scale of antibiotic offer has happened before so is not the first – but it’s not common.
Should the government extend the vaccination programme nationally? When will the JCVI advice be published and when will the government make its decision based on this?
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) makes decisions on vaccination programmes following careful consideration of independent expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The JCVI does not currently recommend a routine MenB booster vaccination for adolescents and young adults but is currently revieiwing the advice at the request of the Secretary of State following the outbreak in Kent.
Which strain is responsible for the outbreak?
UKHSA can confirm that all three cases are confirmed to be Meningitis B (MenB).
What action is being taken?
UKHSA specialists are interviewing affected individuals and their families to identify close contacts and arrange antibiotics to limit further spread.
Close contacts of cases have already been offered antibiotics as a precautionary measure, to reduce the risk of the disease spreading.
As a precaution, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS are arranging antibiotics and vaccination following 3 confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal disease (meningitis). People who are eligible include all children in school years 7-13 (ages 11-18) who go to school, or other educational settings in the Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell areas of Dorset or who are of this age and live in this area.
UKHSA has provided advice letters to local schools, advising on recent cases, signs and symptoms, how to obtain antibiotics if needed, and what to do if they feel unwell.
UKHSA has worked with the local NHS Trust and ICB to ensure hospital staff and GPs are aware and to be vigilant for possible cases in any patients.
How many students are being offered antibiotics and how many are being offered vaccination?
Around 6500.
Why was the second case not identified via contact tracing? Does this suggest there may be some people missed in contact tracing?
Will current vaccines provide any protection against this outbreak?
It’s important to know that neither the MenB or MenACWY vaccines protect against all meningococcal strains nor against all infections that can cause meningitis. And unlike the MenACWY vaccine, the MenB vaccine while protecting individuals from getting ill with the disease, does not prevent the bacteria spreading in the community and as such the vaccine has a more limited ‘herd immunity’ impact.
Is there enough antibiotic prophylaxis available?
Yes. There are sufficient antibiotic stocks at the university, hospitals, and the ambulance service. We are working with local resilience partners to ensure effective distribution.
What is the advice to educational settings?
Staff and children should attend school as normal if they remain well. UKHSA health protection teams provide public health advice to institutions and schools where needed.
What is different about this incident – why has there been such a big response?
Around 300 to 400 cases of meningococcal disease are diagnosed in England every year. Three cases in the same geographical area in a short space of time can be unusual, but the vast majority of outbreaks managed by UKHSA involve two to four cases occurring over a longer timeframe. Rapid public health action is precisely what prevents outbreaks from becoming larger.
