What is this disease? How can you protect yourself from it? – Firstpost

While the world looks on as the West Asia conflict unfolds, the United Kingdom (UK) is witnessing another kind of concern — an outbreak of invasive meningitis that has killed two young people and left 11 others in hospital.

Over the weekend, An 18-year-old pupil at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham, named as Juliette, and a 21-year-old student at the University of Kent were confirmed to have died from the infection. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it was notified of 13 cases with signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia from Friday to Sunday in the Canterbury area.

Now, health authorities are trying to arrange for enough antibiotics, with long queues of students seen building up at the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus on Monday. Many turned up after being approached directly by the UK health authorities because of possible contact with infected people.

We take a look at the disease, and how the situation is being managed.

What is meningitis?

Meningococcal meningitis is a contagious illness caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis and spread in respiratory droplets. Meningitis can also be caused by other bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi and can occur as a complication of other diseases, such as measles.

This serious condition affects the meninges, the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. When someone contracts meningitis, the membranes are infected with bacteria or a virus, causing them to be inflamed. According to the UK’s National Health Services, if not treated quickly, meningitis can cause life-threatening sepsis and “result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.” In very extreme cases, it can even cause death.

Meningitis affects around 2.3 million people globally every year. Although anyone can get meningitis, it is more common in babies, children, teenagers and young adults. It usually spreads most easily in places where people who aren’t vaccinated against the disease gather in close contact, such as in schools or student housing.

What are the symptoms of meningitis?

Early warning signs of meningitis include a high temperature, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain and stomach cramps. As the disease worsens, it makes people drowsy, irritable and confused, as well as cause severe muscle pain, pale, blotchy skin, spots or a rash, stiff neck, an aversion to bright lights and convulsions or seizures.

According to Meningitis Now, people shouldn’t wait until someone develops a rash and to seek medical help if someone is ill and displaying these symptoms. It’s important to note that meningitis symptoms don’t appear in a specific order. They can appear at any time, and patients may not experience all of them. In some cases, symptoms may not appear at all.

What causes meningitis?

There is no single way that a person contracts meningitis. It can be contracted through different germs, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

There are two types of meningitis — a viral and a bacterial, with the latter being the more serious form of the condition.

According to experts, because viruses can cause meningitis, there are different ways it can spread. The infection is usually spread by people who carry the virus or bacteria in their nose and throat but are not actually ill. However, though less common, the infection can also be spread by someone actively suffering from meningitis.

Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy tells Cosmopolitan UK: “Meningitis bacteria often live in the back of the throat and do not infect the host. The fact the host does not get infected is believed to be due to genetic differences which means the host has natural immunity to the organism. However, the person who they pass it to is genetically susceptible and becomes very unwell.”

Who’s at most risk of contracting meningitis?

While anyone is at risk of contracting meningitis, it is typically found in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. People who are immunocompromised are also more at risk.

Meningitis Now reports the risk of disease is “greatest in first year university students living in shared accommodation”. Dr Deborah Lee explains: “Bacterial meningitis affects less than one in 100,000 of the UK population. It is most common in those aged 18-20.”

Even Trish Mannes, UKHSA Regional Deputy Director for the South East, concurred on this, telling CNN, “Students are particularly at risk of missing the early warning signs of meningitis because they can be easily confused with other illnesses such as a bad cold, flu or even a hangover.”

What can be done to treat meningitis?

For prevention, there are vaccines that can be taken. There’s the MenACWY vaccine, which offers protection against four types of bacteria that can cause meningitis, and is offered to teenagers. There’s also the MenB vaccine, which protects against meningococcal group B bacteria and is recommended for babies aged eight weeks, followed by a second dose at 12 weeks and a booster at one year.

However, these vaccines do not protect against all of the possible viruses or variants of bacteria that can cause meningitis. As Dr Zina Alfahl, of the University of Galway, told The Guardian: “Whether vaccination rates played a role in this outbreak will depend on which strain is involved, which hasn’t yet been confirmed. Until that information is available, it would be premature to attribute the outbreak to vaccine uptake.”

To treat meningitis, to give antibiotics to people who may have come into contact with the disease is the best practice.

NEW – Hundreds of people wear masks and que at the University of Kent to get antibiotics after 2 people die from an outbreak of “invasive” meningitis and 11 others are hospitalized with symptoms. pic.twitter.com/DHMl63WIhZ

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) March 16, 2026

How bad is the current outbreak in UK’s Kent?

As of now, two people have died in the UK owing to meningitis, with 11 others being seriously ill in hospital. The outbreak has erupted in a university and three schools — University of Kent, Queen Elizabeth’s grammar school, Simon Langton grammar school for boys in Canterbury and Norton Knatchbull school in Ashford.

Of the two who died from meningitis, one was identified as sixth-form student, Juliette. Her teachers at Queen Elizabeth’s described her as a kind and intelligent young woman. “We are all absolutely devastated,” Headteacher Amelia McIlroy said in a statement sent to CNN on Monday.

Meanwhile, the UK health authorities are working at identifying close contacts of those affected and administering antibiotics as part of efforts to limit the spread of the disease. The university has also cancelled all in-person assessments or exams for the week. Queues could be seen at the university with students awaiting the dispensation of antibiotics.

Health authorities have also stated that they are offering advice and support to the student community, as they monitor the situation closely. The UKHSA has added that anyone who thinks they, or someone they care for, could have meningitis, septicaemia or sepsis should call 999 or go to their nearest health centre.

FAQs:

1) What is meningitis?
Meningitis is a condition in which swelling of the lining of the brain and spinal cord takes place. It is caused by either a bacteria or by different types of viruses.

2) What are the signs to look out for in cases of meningitis?
Symptoms can develop suddenly and can include: A rash that doesn’t fade when pressed with a glass. A sudden onset of high fever; a severe and worsening headache; a stiff neck; vomiting and diarrhoea. One could also suffer from joint and muscle pain, seizures, and very cold hands and feet. One could also suffer from extreme sleepiness.

3) Can you prevent meningitis?
Common germs that can cause meningitis can spread through coughing, sneezing or kissing. Hence, Covid-style hygiene measures such as washing of hands regularly and covering your mouth while sneezing or coughing should be practised.

4) Can you be vaccinated against meningitis?
There are multiple vaccinations available for protection against meningitis. The MenB vaccine is recommended for babies at eight weeks, as it protects against meningococcal group B bacteria, which is the most common cause of the disease in children. A second dose is given at 12 weeks, and a booster is recommended after one year. This jab does not protect against viral meningitis.

The 6-in-1 vaccine (short for DTaP/IPV/Hib/Hep B) protects against meningitis, plus diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). There’s also the MenACWY vaccine that protects against four bacteria types known to cause meningitis: meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y. It’s available to 14-year-olds, as well as people up to 25 who haven’t had a vaccine containing MenC.

With inputs from agencies