Mar 20, 2026
3 min read
An outbreak of meningitis in England originating at the University of Kent resulted in 2 deaths and 29 cases, 13 of which were recognized as serotype B.
Meningitis in the UK, infectious diseases expert Androni: "No danger to Italy, but the disease can spread"
In the UK, a meningitis outbreak originating at the University of Kent resulted in 2 deaths and 29 cases, 13 of which were identified as serotype B.We discuss the risks facing Italy and the containment measures that will be implemented with Professor Massimo Andreoni, Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Tor Vergata.
In England, the number of meningitis cases in Kentucky continues to rise.The disease, which originated around the University of Kent, has now infected 29 people and killed two.13 of the 18 labs admitted were identified as B-type.
"It is a highly infectious and transmissible disease" explained Massimo Andreoni, full professor of infectious diseases at the University of Rome Tor Vergata to Quotidiano Sanita.can infect".
The nature of the epidemic is directly related to the proximity of the issue.When it was done in "very few spots, it seems to have happened in England, so in a very close-knit community, it really manages to determine the spread of this disease."sad
Meningococcus is a systemic infection, as underlined again by Professor Andreoni: "In addition to dictating a neurological clinical picture, it also has a picture of spread to all organ systems with extremely significant damage and mortality, which, however, remains very, very important."
meningococcal meningitis (from the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis) first manifests itself with high fever, vomiting, lethargy, stiff neck and photophobia;However, it can cause very serious complications such as encephalitis or myelitis, in severe cases it can lead to sepsis and death.Specifically, serotype B meningitis is fatal for 10-15 out of 100 people.
The family of one of the two victims, 18-year-old Juliette Kenny who was diagnosed with serotype B meningitis, launched an appeal for a mass vaccination campaign.The Meningitis Research Foundation has long called for access to the meningitis B vaccine to be extended to teenagers and young adults through England's National Health Service (NHS).
How to start an epidemic prevention campaign
After the outbreak is identifiedThe University of Kent has opened a vaccination room on its Canterbury campus.which closed in the past few hours due to'Capacity issues' The government has confirmed that other prevention facilities will also be opened. So far, figures show 8,500 antibiotics and 1,600 vaccines have been administered.
The UK Health Safety Authority's statement read: "While preventive antibiotics remain the main measure to protect people and prevent the spread of infection, vaccination is offered as an additional measure. Given the current private market demand for meningococcal B vaccine, 20,000 doses will be made available privately. 480 hours through pharmacies."
"These cases - explains Andreoni - serve to show the importance of protection through vaccination. Currently, all persons in contact with index cases, that is, infected and sick cases, are treated with antibiotics. Meanwhile, a vaccination campaign has been launched, which nevertheless serves to stop the spread of this microorganism."
There is no risk for Italy.
The outbreak could spread further in England, but Professor Andreoni rules out any risk to Italy."Normally, epidemics are isolated to the places where they develop - he explains - so they can spread more or less, but it will never be a problem for an entire nation or even for an entire continent."
"We really shouldn't be afraid that this outbreak could spread in Italy. We have about 200 cases of meningitis every year in our country, so it's a disease we know very well, but these cases show that we shouldn't be more cautious. We have to keep recommending vaccinations, but also, most importantly, boosters."
England is still busy fighting the meningitis epidemic that started in Kent.In a few days the cases rose to 29, but no other death was recorded after his death, ...
The Carabinieri of NAS Catania released a 40-year-old man from Catania. He must answer for the crimes of malpractice in the healthcare profession and drug administration...
Our fathers, who are encouraged and known from the first moments of their children's lives: this is the director of the European project 4E-MATUA, managed by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità.The aim is to introduce a model...
In Kent, England, meningitis cases have risen to 20, with no new deaths, although the epidemic is spreading.Individuals living in Kent have shown themselves…
