Meningitis cases in Kent outbreak fall after further testing

The number of cases of meningitis in Kent has decreased after some cases were downgraded following further tests.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said as of yesterday that the number of confirmed cases was 20, and nine suspected cases remain under investigation, bringing the total to 29.

Its believed to be the first official decline in confirmed cases since the outbreak began.

The UKHSA said: ‘Some cases initially classified as confirmed cases have been reclassified following further laboratory results and clinical investigation.

‘As further laboratory assessments are being completed, we expect some further probable cases to be downgraded in the coming days.’

Dr Sherine Thomas, infectious diseases consultant at UKHSA, said the organisation is remaining vigilant and working with the NHS to identify any new cases that may appear.

‘It’s reassuring to have seen so many eligible young people come forward for antibiotics and vaccination, and we’d like to thank everyone involved in this effort so far,’ she added.

‘Although the risk to the wider population remains low, it is still really important that people know the symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease and seek immediate medical attention if they or anyone they know develops them.’

Health officials and experts predict that more cases will appear as the incubation time for the infection is between two and 14 days.

The UKHSA said that the patients include pupils at four Kent schools and ‘one student at a higher education institution in London’.

This infection is ‘directly linked’ to the Kent outbreak, which erupted from a nightclub popular with students called Club Chemistry.

Escape Studios, an animation and video game college in North Greenwich, confirmed that one of its students has become infected with meningitis.

A case of meningitis linked to the Kent outbreak was recorded in France and flagged by French officials to the UKHSA.

UKHSA chief scientific officer Professor Robin May has warned that cases would continue to increase, with some cases still ‘under investigation’.

He told BBC Breakfast: ‘I would say in outbreaks like this, you would typically expect a small increase in numbers still to go, so I suspect that number will go up slightly.’

He said the abrupt batch of cases is ‘unusual’ compared to past outbreaks.

‘So, typically, you would expect to see sporadic cases of meningitis, typically individual patients,’ Professor May said.

‘Most days, actually, we would see one in the UK. This is obviously a much larger number.

‘What is particularly remarkable about this case, and unexpected about this case, is the large number of cases all originating from what seems to be a single event.’