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You may have seen recent media reports about a meningococcal disease (meningitis) outbreak in Kent. The strain behind cases in Kent has now been identified as Meningitis B (known as MenB).

The outbreak is currently contained only in Canterbury and Kent, and no cases are linked to the University of Sussex or any other schools or universities outside of Kent.

The risk to Sussex students is very low. Meningitis does not spread easily, but it is still important to be aware of symptoms and know when to seek help.

This UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) blog outlines detailed information about the localised MenB outbreak in Kent. This includes information on the targeted antibiotics and vaccination for close contacts of those who are confirmed as having, or are suspected of having meningitis, while emphasising that the risk to the wider population remains low.

Seek medical advice urgently if you develop symptoms such as:

• High temperature
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Dislike of bright lights
• Quick breathing
• Pain in arms or legs
• Confusion
• Being very sleepy or hard to wake
• Seizures or fits
• Rash
• Diarrhoea.

If you are concerned about symptoms:

• Call your GP or NHS 111
• If someone becomes very unwell, call 999 immediately.

How meningitis is spread

Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis.

Infections that cause meningitis can be spread through:

• sneezing
• coughing
• kissing.

Meningitis is usually caught from people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but are not ill themselves.

It can also be caught from someone with meningitis, but this is less common.

How to protect yourself

The best protection against meningitis is staying up to date with your free NHS vaccinations.

It is not too late to catch up if you have missed any. You can:

• Check your vaccination history in your health record (if you have one)
• Contact your GP to confirm what you have had and book any missing vaccines.

Key vaccines that protect against different strains of meningococcal disease:

• MenB vaccine – protects against the most common strain (B).
• Offered to babies born on or after 1 May 2015.
• Most people born before this date will not have received it. This vaccination is not offered for free via the NHS, you can get this vaccination privately at certain pharmacies or travel clinics, unless you have certain chronic conditions.
• MenACWY vaccine – protects against strains A, C, W and Y.
• Usually given to teenagers at school.
• If you missed it, you can still get it for free up to age 25.

You can also read our general vaccination guidance on the Student Hub.

More information and support

To learn more about meningitis visit the NHS website.