Health authorities in the United Kingdom say it is still too early to confirm that a meningitis outbreak in southeast England has been brought under control, as new cases continue to emerge.
Officials reported seven additional infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 27. The outbreak has affected students across four schools in Kent, as well as one student in London.
Dr. Anjan Ghosh, Director of Public Health at Kent County Council, said authorities cannot yet declare the situation contained, warning that further transmission must first be ruled out.
The UK Health Security Agency confirmed that the outbreak has already claimed two lives—a 21-year-old student from the University of Kent and a teenage student from the town of Faversham.
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the spread as “unprecedented” and announced that the government is expanding its vaccination programme to cover more students. Authorities are also considering whether to extend the campaign more broadly.
Experts warn that additional cases may be identified in the coming days, as meningitis typically has an incubation period of seven to ten days.
Meningococcal meningitis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting, drowsiness, and cold hands and feet. In severe cases, it can lead to blood poisoning, or septicaemia, which may cause a distinctive rash.
Young people in schools, colleges, and universities are considered particularly vulnerable due to close social contact.
Meanwhile, Boots, the country’s largest pharmacy chain, reported a surge in demand for the meningitis B vaccine, leading to limited supplies nationwide.
Despite the outbreak, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says the overall risk to the general population across Europe remains very low.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as efforts intensify to contain the spread and protect vulnerable groups.