Meningococcal disease outbreak in Kent, UK

The HSE’s national Public Health team continues to be in regular contact with the UK Health Security Agency, as they continue to investigate a serious meningococcal disease outbreak in Kent. As of 5 pm on 18 March, 15 laboratory cases are confirmed, and 12 notifications remain under investigation, bringing the total to 27 to date, and sadly, two young people have died.  All confirmed cases linked to the outbreak so far are young adults. Six of the confirmed cases are confirmed to be group B meningococcal disease. The UK Health Security Agency has advised that the situation is evolving and further cases are possible.

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