MEDICS are scrambling to contain a sudden meningitis B outbreak which has rocked Oxfordshire – leaving one student dead and two others infected.
The deadly outburst comes after a similar terrifying surge in March, which killed two students and left dozens hospitalised in Kent.
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A student at The Henley College has died following a meningitis outbreak Credit: LinkedIn
A fresh meningitis outbreak has been reported in Oxfordshire Credit: Getty
One of the cases reported on Thursday has been confirmed as meningitis B (MenB).
But it is understood to be a different strain of Men B from the one that caused the outbreak in March.
Close contacts of the cases are being offered antibiotics as a precaution, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
The agency has reassured that the risk to the public currently remains low and has not issued any immediate advice.
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Why is meningitis B considered the most dangerous strain?
THERE are five main strains that cause the disease in the UK. But MenB is widely considered the most dangerous.
Health officials have said that at least some cases of meningitis seen in Kent have been confirmed as meningitis B.
Other strains include MenA, MenC, MenW and MenY, which are also caused by bacteria.
MenB is now the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK, accounting for more than 80 per cent of invasive cases.
It is caused by Neisseria meningitidis group B bacteria and infects the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, which can trigger life-threatening blood poisoning and brain inflammation.
The illness often develops suddenly, and early diagnosis is critical.
Dr Eliza Gil, a clinical lecturer at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said Neisseria meningitidis “can cause very aggressive infections”.
Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious diseases expert at the University of East Anglia, added: “The most important thing any friend or parent can do is realise the person may have this infection and seek medical help.
“Early treatment is vital, but diagnosis in the early hours of the illness can be very difficult.
“Early symptoms can be very mild but then deterioration can be extremely rapid leading to death within a few hours.
“Some of the warning signs include high fever, neck pain and stiffness, the light hurts their eyes, confusion and drowsiness and a particular skin rash that doesn’t blanch if a glass is pressed onto the skin.”
The UKHSA said on Thursday its specialists were “working with local authority and NHS partners following three cases of meningococcal infection (meningitis) in young people in Reading”.
According to a GP surgery based in Henley-on-Thames, the person who died with suspected meningitis was a student at The Henley College, a sixth-form in Oxfordshire.
It is understood the other two cases are linked to schools in the Reading area.
The University of Reading said there have so far been no reported cases among its students – but urged people to remain vigilant.
The Surgery who confirmed the first victim was a student said: “Dear patients. We have been in contact with the UK Health Security Agency this morning (14th May) regarding the very sad news that a student at Henley College has died with suspected meningococcal disease.
“They have confirmed that they are actively contacting those who may be at risk due to a close association with the student involved.
“If you have not been contacted by the UK Health Security Agency, then currently you do not require any treatment.”
They continued: “Staff and students have been advised they can attend the college as usual.
“The number of confirmed cases is very low so there are currently no plans for a local emergency meningitis vaccination programme.”
On Thursday, Dr Paddy Woodman, director of student services at the University of Reading, said: “While there are no reported cases among University of Reading students, I know that our students, staff and family members may be concerned.
“We will be contacting students to remind them of existing information about looking out for signs of meningitis, and the importance of acting immediately on any worrying symptoms, as well as checking their vaccination status.”
Local authorities have shared information about the infections to parents and students at all affected schools.
But they said the risk to the wider public was low.
The Henley College, is a sixth-form college in Henley-on-Thames with more than 2,000 full-time students which teaches more than 60 A-level subjects and vocational diplomas, according to its website.
Students have been told that if they have not been contacted by the agency, they do not require treatment.
Currently, there are no plans for a local emergency meningitis vaccination programme.
But people are being encouraged to stay aware of signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis.
These include a high temperature, quick breathing, vomiting, pain in the arms and legs, headache, confusion, a stiff neck, being sleepy or difficulty in waking, dislike of bright lights, seizures or fits, rash and diarrhoea.
It comes after a mutated strain of meningitis sparked a large outbreak in Kent in March.
A new sub-variant of group B meningococcus bacteria – aka Men B – left dozens of suspected cases and more than 13,000 people being given antibiotics to try and stop the spread.
The outbreak was linked to a “super-spreader event” at the Club Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury town centre.
The UKHSA said the new strain, low population immunity and the behaviour of people who got infected are all likely to have combined to trigger the outbreak.
It was later discovered 20 out of the 23 hospitalised patients went to the nightclub between March 5 and 7.
The other three lived in the same university halls of residence as other patients.
It also comes amid the sprawling hantavirus outbreak which kicked off on the cruise ship MV Hondius earlier this month.
There have also been at least twelve people with suspected viral infections including a French woman, Italian man, a Spaniard, American and Brits so far.
