What do we know about Meningitis B and how serious is it?

The government has announced a 'targeted' vaccine rollout for students in Kent, as ITV News' Health Correspondent Rebecca Barry reports

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that some of the cases linked to the recent Kent meningitis outbreak are caused by a strain known as meningitis B, or MenB.

Two students from Kent have died of the disease, while several more are in serious condition in hospital.

UKHSA, which is investigating the outbreak, said it would confirm the strain seen in other cases "when we have the full results".

But what is MenB, and how does it differ from other strains of meningitis?

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis.

Meningitis can affect anyone, but it is more common in babies, children, teenagers, and young adults.It can be very serious if not treated quickly, and can lead to life-threatening sepsis and permanent damage to the brain or nerves.

What is MenB and how serious is it?

MenB is a type of bacterial meningitis.

It is caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, otherwise known as the meningococcus.

Meningococcus can live harmlessly in people’s throats but can cause serious illness if it gets into the blood or spinal fluid.

According to Meningitis Now, around 10% of the population carries meningococcal bacteria in the back of their throats at any given time.

Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor of cellular microbiology at the University of Reading, said: "Meningococcal bacteria come in several strains, known as serogroups, of which B and C are the most common causes of disease in the UK."

Occasionally, these bacteria break through the lining at the back of the throat and can pass into the bloodstream, leading to infection.

MenB can be extremely serious, as experts estimate that up to one in every 10 cases of bacterial meningitis is fatal.

Meningococcal bacteria can lead to the brain's lining becoming inflamed, which can cause meningococcal septicaemia, commonly known as sepsis.

The disease can be treated with antibiotics if it is caught early, which can result in full recovery.

Is there a vaccine?

Some groups of meningococcal disease can be prevented by vaccines, of which there are multiple available in the UK.

The MenB jab offers protection against meningococcal group B bacteria and is recommended for babies aged eight weeks, followed by a second dose at 12 weeks and a booster at one year.But the majority of young people born before 2015 are not protected against meningitis B unless they have had the jab privately, as it was introduced on the NHS for babies in 2015.

Dr Clarke said: "MenB has historically been harder to vaccinate against than other strains because its outer surface resembles human tissue, making it more difficult for the immune system to recognise as a threat."

"The MenB vaccine works by targeting specific proteins on the bacterial surface rather than the outer coating, which is how earlier meningococcal vaccines worked", he added. Other routine childhood jabs, including the 6-in-1 and pneumococcal vaccines, can protect against meningitis.Elsewhere, the MenACWY vaccine is a single-dose jab that protects against four strains of meningococcal bacteria. It was also introduced in 2015.It is offered to teenagers in school and is also available to those entering university, up to the age of 25.

Why are young people at risk?

According to Meningitis Now, one in four 15 to 19-year-olds carry meningococcal bacteria in the back of their throats, compared with one in 10 of the UK population.People can carry this harmlessly without becoming unwell, but it can be passed from person to person by coughing, sneezing, and kissing.Increased social interaction in this age group means the bacteria can be passed on more easily.In universities, students can be more vulnerable because of living in more "cramped" housing or halls of residence.

Young people also come together from all over the world to live, study, and socialise.

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So can young people get the MenB jab?

Meningitis Now has called for teenagers and young people to be vaccinated against meningitis B on the NHS.

It launched a new campaign – No Plan B for MenB – calling for MenB jabs to be given to those most at risk, plus a booster programme to protect adolescents from 2030.

The charity also says MenB jabs should be available on the high street "at a fair price".

The jab is available privately, costing around £110 per dose, with a minimum of two doses required.

What are the symptoms of meningitis?

Symptoms of meningitis and sepsis can include a high temperature, cold hands and feet, vomiting, confusion, muscle and joint pain, pale, mottled or blotchy skin, spots or a rash, a headache, a stiff neck, aversion to bright lights, being very sleepy, and seizures.

Symptoms can appear in any order, and some may not appear at all.

The UK Health Security Agency advises calling 999 immediately or going to your nearest A&E if you think you or someone in your care could have meningitis or septicaemia, as people can become unwell very quickly.

You can call NHS 111 if you're unsure whether it's serious.

How is meningitis treated?

Treatments include antibiotics and fluids administered directly into a vein, oxygen if there are breathing difficulties, and, in some cases, steroid medication to prevent swelling around the brain.

Patients may need to stay in the hospital for a few days or weeks.

In cases of mild meningitis, patients may be sent home if tests confirm it is viral, which usually gets better on its own. Most patients start to feel better within seven to 10 days.

But severe viral meningitis may also be treated in a hospital.

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