Scientists have identified why the bacteria responsible for the severe meningitis B outbreak in Kent earlier this year was so dangerous. Experts from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the University of Oxford found that the bacterium acquired genetic material from other bugs naturally present in some people's throats.
This genetic exchange led to the creation of a new strain or variant, which then spread among clubbers and caused severe illness. The March outbreak, linked to a Canterbury nightclub, infected over 20 young people, mostly students. All required hospital treatment, with nine needing intensive care and two dying.
Dr Charlene Rodrigues, a consultant in Pathogen Genomics at UKHSA, stated that this investigation highlights how quickly bacteria can change. She also noted that the social environment, with close social mixing, contributed to the outbreak's spread. Experts stress that the meningitis vaccine currently offered to over a million young people starting university provides protection against this variant.
While such events are rare and unpredictable, they could happen again, according to Dr Rodrigues. Advisers are asking the government to consider introducing routine MenB jabs for secondary school-aged individuals around 15 years old to enhance protection.