Cases of meningitis are spreading at an alarming rate in Britain, while some experts are examining the possibility that the Covid pandemic has contributed to increased susceptibility to this dangerous infection.
The analysis comes after the death of a student and the treatment of two other young people following a meningitis outbreak in Berkshire. The case follows another major outbreak in Kent, linked to a nightclub in Canterbury, where two people died and more than a dozen others became seriously ill just eight weeks ago.
The UK's Health Protection Agency confirmed that new cases have been detected in Reading and that a Henley College student has died. One of the cases has been confirmed as meningitis B, the most dangerous form of the bacterial infection, the same one that killed two students in the Kent outbreak.
Experts emphasize that this is not a common trend, as meningitis usually occurs in isolated cases. Therefore, the main question is what is changing.
Dr. Lindsay Edwards, an expert in immune responses at King's College London, says it's possible that meningitis has become more common since the Covid pandemic. She says meningitis B bacteria often live harmlessly in the nose and throat, especially in teenagers and young adults. Around a quarter of this age group can carry the bacteria without showing any symptoms.
The problem, according to Dr. Edwards, is that Covid may have made cells more susceptible to bacterial infections. The virus enters cells by binding to their receptors and, in the process, may allow bacteria to penetrate more easily. This is one reason why many Covid patients develop secondary bacterial infections, such as pneumonia.
"It's possible that many of the young people who are developing meningitis now have had Covid before and this has made their cells more vulnerable to infections," she explains.
Experts say the infection is becoming more “invasive” than ever before, due to a combination of factors related to the bacteria, human behavior and the environment. Meningococcus group B includes more than 100 variants, some of which are more likely to cause meningococcal septicemia, a severe form of blood poisoning that can lead to permanent damage to the brain and spinal cord.
Other factors, such as smoking and using e-cigarettes, can make it easier for bacteria to enter the body, damaging the back of the throat. This can create conditions for easier spread in certain groups.
Meningitis spreads most easily in environments where people are in close, prolonged contact. Nightclubs, dormitories, boarding schools, and university residences can serve as environments where bacteria circulate more easily.
Experts are also looking into whether some people may be naturally more vulnerable to infection and more likely to spread it, a phenomenon known as “superspreading.” It’s also possible that young people starting university may have less immunity to some bacteria, due to restrictions and isolation during the Covid period.
According to Dr. Edwards, meningitis B is one of the most concerning forms of the disease, as it is more virulent and dangerous than some other types. It can hide better from the immune system, increasing the risk of sepsis and spreading to the brain or spinal cord, where it can cause fatal complications.
However, experts stress that Covid should not be seen as the sole explanation. Meningitis usually requires close and prolonged physical contact to spread, so social and environmental factors remain equally important.
The British Health Security Agency said it was working closely with local partners and that health advice, as well as preventive antibiotic treatment, had been given to people who had close contact with the confirmed cases.
According to authorities, meningococcal disease does not spread easily and the risk to the general public remains low. So far, only one case has been confirmed as meningitis B, while further results are awaited to understand whether the cases are linked.
Professor Andrew Preston, an infectious disease expert at the University of Bath, said the latest outbreak showed that, while the disease is fortunately rare, it remains very serious. He said the current cases appear to be confined to a defined social group, making it easier to trace contacts and administer antibiotics or vaccinations if deemed necessary.
Currently, there is no evidence that the new cases are linked to the previous outbreak in Kent, but authorities are monitoring the situation carefully.
Experts are urging young people to check they are up to date with their vaccinations, including the MenACWY vaccine, which is offered at school in years 9 and 10 and remains free on the British health system until the age of 25. However, this vaccine does not protect against all variants of meningitis.
Early symptoms of meningitis can be vague and flu-like. The illness may begin with a sudden fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, and a general feeling of illness.
Children and adolescents may experience severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light. In infants, the signs may be even more difficult to spot: refusal to eat, unusual irritability, drowsiness, or difficulty waking up.
Doctors warn that one should not wait for the appearance of "classic" symptoms to seek help. With meningitis, time is of the essence, as symptoms can go from mild to very severe within a few hours.
As the infection worsens, intense headaches, vomiting, stiff neck, sensitivity to bright light, drowsiness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, or epileptic seizures may occur.
Meningococcal disease can also cause blood poisoning, known as meningococcal septicemia. One of the most common signs is redness or purple spots on the skin that do not fade when pressed, often checked by passing a glass over the skin.
Initially, the rash may appear as very small spots, usually on the body, arms, or legs, before spreading into larger, bruise-like patches.
However, this rash often appears late and some patients do not develop it at all. For this reason, experts emphasize that any suspicion of meningitis should be treated with medical urgency. /GazetaExpress/
t7 live
