"It's important to note that this was has been a very rapidly progressing outbreak, and is actually quite unusual for meningococcal outbreaks. We tend to see small numbers of cases over a more protracted period of time. This is unusual because a large number of cases came to light over essentially a 24-hour period."
"So it was really the first cases were reported on Saturday, but actually more cases came to light on Sunday, and as soon as those additional cases came to light, this is when we made sure that there was information available to the public and to relevant partners and through the NHS."
"It is an unusual outbreak, and it's important to stress that those individuals who were closest contact with the cases were contacted immediately and were offered preventative antibiotics, as we would expect with any outbreak of meningococcal disease."
A meningococcal outbreak in Kent progressed unusually rapidly, with initial cases reported on Saturday and additional cases emerging on Sunday. The UKHSA emphasized this outbreak pattern was atypical, as meningococcal cases typically appear in small numbers over extended periods. Public notification and information distribution occurred immediately upon identification of additional cases on Sunday. Close contacts of confirmed cases received immediate notification and were offered preventative antibiotics. Meningitis B was confirmed as the strain in some cases. A university student and year 13 pupil died from the outbreak, with 11 additional people falling ill. Medical professionals advised checking vaccination status through the NHS app and contacting GPs for vaccination if needed.
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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