Meningitis death in Thames Valley with three cases reported

Three cases of meningococcal infection (meningitis) have been found in young people in Reading, according the UK Health Security Agency (UKSA).

The agency said one young person has died.

“Sadly, one of the individuals has died and our thoughts and condolences are with their friends and family.”

The other two cases are receiving treatment in hospital.

People who have come into close contact with the three meningitis cases are being offered antibiotics “as a precaution”, and information about meningitis symptoms has been passed to students and parents at “all affected schools”.

UKSA said the risk to the wider public “remains low”.

The agency said one of the cases has been confirmed as Meningitis B, while test results for the other cases have not yet come through.

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. 

“Anyone can get meningitis, and around 300 to 400 cases of meningococcal disease are diagnosed in England every year. It’s most common in babies, young children, teenagers, and young adults. It needs to be treated quickly so it is important to know the signs and symptoms. They can appear in any order and may not all be present, so seek rapid medical attention if there is ever any concern.

“Signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and sepsis can include a fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting and cold hands and feet. Sepsis can also cause a characteristic rash that does not fade when pressed against a glass.”

UKSA said young people should check that they are up to date with their vaccinations.

Early symptoms of meningitis such as vomiting, fever, aches, muscle pain, cold hands and feet and headaches – can look similar to common illnesses like colds or flu, but someone with meningitis or septicaemia will usually become seriously ill in a matter of hours.

Early recognition of meningitis and sepsis symptoms can greatly improve the outcome of the disease, and so anyone concerned about any of these symptoms, at any time, should contact their GP, call NHS 111 or 999 in an emergency.

Symptoms can appear in any order and some may not happen at all. For meningitis, common signs and symptoms include:

• fever
• a very bad headache (this alone is not a reason to get medical help)
• vomiting
• stiff neck
• dislike of bright lights
• rash
• confusion, delirium
• severe sleepiness, losing consciousness
• fits 

UKSA said their specialists are working closely with local authority and NHS partners in Reading following the discovery of the three cases.