Should we be worried about meningitis outbreak?

[LittleRed34]

Should we be worried about the current meningitis outbreak?? I don't know if it's fake news, but I saw somewhere that there would be talks of a lockdown, and jab roll out...COVID 2.0??

Men B isn’t a virus.

I'm sorry to hear this happening to your sister. I hope she recovered fully?
Yes, we arrange antibiotics for the household and close contacts. For most people, it's a one-off tablet (usually ciprofloxacin). Children might be given another, suitable antibiotic in liquid form.

The guidance that informs the public health response is freely available: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/meningococcal-disease-guidance-on-public-health-management

It's not a virus and it's not airborne. You're the one spreading misinformation.

I am a parent of younger teens at a school involved in this outbreak. Today UKHSA have advised us that all Yr 12 and 13 here have been offered antibiotics and will be offered the men B jab as and when they can roll it out.

Other than that it's business as usual. There have been some precautionary postponements of a couple of upcoming sporting and social events. That's it though.

There is always a risk of meningitis in young adults because of their behaviour so it is not a waste of time having the vaccine. Fortunately it is rare because of the vaccines they have had but most current uni students will not have had Men B.

My step brother had it as a teenager after attending a New Year’s Eve party. He had a seasonal mild cold and felt fine at the party. Within 24hrs he was on a ventilator and it was only the quick action of the consultant who advised using a new type of ventilator ( it was 25yrs ago) that saved his life.

It’s an opportunist infection which is why the current cluster is a mystery. It’s possible that there is a cold virus rampaging through the area, we currently have a cold virus doing the rounds locally which is in itself very mild but starts rapidly with a sore throat and is very infectious. So would be a perfect vehicle for the men B bacteria to breach the throat mucosa and infect individuals. It’s like a perfect storm. And the reason why we don’t see epidemics of meningitis even though 1 in 4 young people carry the bacteria.

erm you are the one spreading misinformation.

It is not spread by sneezing. It is spread by close and prolonged contact including living in the same household and intimate contact such as kissing or sharing vapes. It is not as contagious as other infections such as measles and Covid. That is from the GOV website so maybe do some research before spreading fake information

If you are going to continue to post, at least get your information correct. Meningitis B is not a virus. It is a bacterial infection. The fact that it is treated by antibiotics is the clue here.
There are viral meningitis strains but that is not what is being dealt with here.

She did recover thankfully, she didn't really have any lasting effects, except we always joked that she was never right in the head since 😂 (she was a young teen at the time) I remember it clearly, she was so unwell, and it wasn't until she came out in a purplish rash that my mum knew it was serious. I remember my mum pushing her in my brothers pushchair up to the GP surgery and the Dr immediately calling an ambulance. They said she was very very lucky to have survived.

I think as the 6th anniversary of the Covid lockdown is fast approaching, lockdown lovers are wistfully yearning for that time again. That’s probably why this outbreak is getting so much attention.

On a related note, DNephew is 8 and him and all his friends have no memory of Covid, and I just think how wonderful that must be! There are now millions of young people (half of Generation Alpha and all of Generation Beta) who won’t remember the horrors of lockdowns. Lucky them.

I saw somewhere that there would be talks of a lockdown, and jab roll out...

Where was this 'somewhere'? Stop believing things you read on social media.

Exactly this happened to my friend. Specifically asked about getting the meningitis vaccine for her son before he started Uni last September but was told by the GP practice, don't worry he is fully up to date with vaccines including Meningitis, she didn't know enough to know that didn't mean Men B (but the GP surgery should have). Had they said he hasn't had Men B but you have to get it privately, she would have done so. He was home from Uni last week and at Club Chemistry. She's been beside herself with worry. He had gone back to his Uni elsewhere in the UK before this all blew up so she booked in at Boots to get the vaccine, but that has now been cancelled because they're needing so many doses here. He was denied antibiotics at a walk in too, even though he explained the situation. He does seem to be fine though thankfully, and quite a bit of time has passed since his visit so hopefully that means he is ok. But not good all round really.

although it don't think it was terribly wise for all the students to leave the Canterbury campus

I agree, they're getting antibiotics and vaccines but then buggering off home - the vaccine won't be effective for weeks. And presumably they could spread it elsewhere even if they're taking the antibiotics - I don't think they prevent transmission, do they? And conversely, the local students at Unis away from home are all about to come back to Canterbury for Easter but can't get vaccines where they are, because they're diverted down here where there are no appointments left and no way to get the free vaccine.

......not far from London whither it has spread.

There has been one case in London, which is directly linked to the Canterbury cases.

The amount of people talking utter shite on here. It is not airborne. Something being airborne and something being droplet borne are very different things. Although it could be spread bubsomeone coughing or sneezing directly into your face at very close quarters it is mainly spread by saliva contact.
The bacteria cant survive very long at all once out of the body. That is why the main way for it to spread is by kissing, sharing drinks and vapes. The saliva.
Got to laugh at the person on this thread telling everyone to stop spreading misinformation when they are the one spreading most of the misinformation.

Meningitis Now charity provide all first year uni students with awareness literature when they start. Unfortunately most students bin the bumph they are given at registration so are not really any the wiser.

When DS went into halls I pinned the info on his notice board the day he moved in. I also drilled into him the seriousness of it. There had been a case of meningitis in a student the previous year, she survived but is a a quadruple amputee. The local unis are active in promoting the Meningitis Now message.

Unfortunately I am now the “expert “ and get frequent text re the health of various flatmates. DS recently developed cellulitis in his foot and I had a Group FaceTime with the whole flat because they were concerned about him. With access to GPs and A&E waiting times it was quicker for me to drive down to deliver antibiotics than for him to have them prescribed. I am lucky to be a prescriber.

If it does become more of a problem I have the prophylactic antibiotics ready and will make sure they have a supply for next year. But at some point he will be vaccinated because I doubt he’s going to change his current behaviour.

It’s the living/conditions that makes it high risk for students, so them coming home to spend the holidays with their parents won’t put them at high risk, just because they live in Canterbury.

What are you on about? I'm not a medical professional, but I did some basic research and vaccinated my ineligible child accordingly. If you can afford private vaccines then your children not having them is on you, not anyone else.

So you knew there was a type of meningitis that is not covered by the other vaccinations children have and you wondered whether there was a vaccine yet, knowing that there wasn't when your children were younger? Good for you. I had no idea that vaccines were available for diseases but not given out. How stupid of me. It's not that I didn't bother to look into it knowing it was a possibility. It just wasn't on my radar at all. However remis I am, does it follow that my children should pay the price? I realise that sounds a bit dramatic and that most likely they won't catch it, but I completely disagree that everyone should have somehow known about this, and I maintain that it wasn't publicised because it would have opened an awkward debate about why it wasn't being paid for. You can't have a campaign that says 'You must vaccinate your kids - but only if you can afford £220...'

It is fairly difficult to catch in general. And the chances of catching it "airborne" is very low, because it isn't really very airborne like those others. They come out in large droplets, die rapidly, and don't go far. A surgical mask will actually be effective, although unnecessary unless you are going to be very close for a prolonged period with someone who might have it. And then the chances of "catching" it and it causing any issue is rare as well.

The paranoia is that this isn't just the unlikely, but possible, crazy one time event where a perfect set of circumstances and people happened and spread it in what then presents as different to normal. But it is just paranoia right now, this is not a completely normal outbreak but it was always possible for this type of outbreak to happen.

I'm not worried about lockdowns etc.

However, outbreaks like this will continue to happen. This won't be and isn't a one off. Unless they vaccinate teens with the Men B vaccine when the risk will be reduced.

I doubt they’re all going to be isolating at home with their parents though. That said I personally don’t feel particularly concerned precisely because it isn’t highly transmissible. I was more commenting that the measures - with the exception of the antibiotics- don’t seem particularly effective

Hardly @CreepingCrone fault you didn't know about the vaccine. I'm not a healthcare professional, but I read about the new Men B vaccine back in 2015, when it was being rolled out to babies, and got my child vaccinated.

Yep, agree, we had an outbreak at our uni in the mid 90s and sadly I think one person died. Some information posters were put up on campus and I think those closely linked were tracked down and contacted. This was before mobiles were commonplace.

I also already knew about the Men B vaccine and DD (17) had both doses of it privately last year. Like I also knew there was a chickenpox vaccine so gave her that privately too, about 10 years ago. That one is available on the nhs now, which is progress. But I make it my business as a parent to be in the know about the latest developments in health and know that the nhs can’t always be relied upon.

Only we can’t now get the vaccine as there is a national shortage (have been trying to book one for my DD who is uni). I’m not unduly concerned but would feel better if she could get vaccinated.

Same. I read about it and got my child vaccinated.