A student has died and two other young individuals are receiving treatment following a meningitis outbreak in Reading. One of the cases has been confirmed as meningitis B (MenB), the same strain responsible for a cluster of fatal cases in Kent earlier this year.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that close contacts of the affected individuals are being offered antibiotics as a precautionary measure. The agency reassured the public that the overall risk remains low.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the UKHSA said its specialists are collaborating with local authorities and NHS partners after three cases of meningococcal infection were identified among young people in Reading.
A student at Henley College in Oxfordshire died with suspected meningitis, according to a GP surgery in Henley-on-Thames. The Hart Surgery released a statement on Thursday evening, saying: "Dear patients. We have been in contact with the UK Health Security Agency this morning 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. Staff and students have been advised they can attend the college as usual."
The surgery added: "The number of confirmed cases is very low so there are currently no plans for a local emergency meningitis vaccination programme."
Henley College, located in Henley-on-Thames, is a sixth-form college with over 2,000 full-time students, offering more than 60 A-level subjects and vocational diplomas, according to its website.
Dr Paddy Woodman, director of student services at the University of Reading, said on Thursday: "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."
In March, two students died in a meningitis outbreak in the Kent area: 18-year-old Juliette Kenny, described by her family as "fit, healthy and strong," and a University of Kent student.
Dr Rachel Mearkle, consultant in health protection, said: "We understand that many people will be affected by this sad news and would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family of this student. Students and staff will naturally be feeling worried about the likelihood of further cases, however meningococcal meningitis requires very close contact to spread and large outbreaks as we saw in Kent recently are thankfully rare."
"We are working closely with partners and have provided public health advice and precautionary antibiotic treatment to close contacts of the cases. Meningococcal disease does not spread easily and the risk to the wider public remains low."
Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive of Meningitis Now, said: "Everyone at Meningitis Now is deeply saddened and concerned to hear reports of a suspected outbreak of meningitis affecting young people in Reading and the surrounding area, including the tragic death of a young person. We would urge people to remain vigilant and aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease. Meningitis can become life-threatening very quickly and early diagnosis and treatment are absolutely vital."
According to Dr Nutt, symptoms can appear in "any order" and may include a high temperature, severe headache, vomiting, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion, drowsiness, cold hands and feet, severe muscle pain, and a rash that does not fade under pressure.
"Teenagers and young adults are among the groups most at risk from meningococcal disease, and the recent outbreak in Kent has shown how quickly cases can emerge," he added.
In March, hundreds of people were given the MenB vaccine or antibiotics to stem the spread of the bug in the Kent outbreak.
