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Measles Outbreak: Two Dead, Cases Linked to Super-Spreader Event
17 Mar
Summary
- Two fatalities reported in an unprecedented measles outbreak.
- Outbreak linked to a 'super-spreader' event at a nightclub.
- Health secretary defends agency's response time to the crisis.
An unprecedented measles outbreak has resulted in two deaths, prompting an urgent vaccination campaign. The outbreak is strongly suspected to have originated from a "super-spreader" event, with initial cases linked to the University of Kent and Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has defended the UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) response, asserting that actions were taken swiftly and comprehensively from the moment the first case was identified. Prophylactic antibiotics were offered to close contacts, and a public health alert was issued shortly after.
Vaccination drives are underway for students at the University of Kent, and hundreds of antibiotic doses have been distributed. However, reports indicate a surge in demand for private vaccines, with some pharmacies allegedly overcharging. Health authorities advise against private vaccination purchases and condemn profiteering.
The menB vaccine, part of routine NHS immunisations for infants since 2015, means many students are unvaccinated. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is reconsidering eligibility for menB vaccines for a broader group.
Experts suggest the outbreak is unlikely to spread nationally due to antibiotic interventions but note that not enough is known about potential mutations in this specific serotype of meningitis B causing severe illness. Genome sequencing is being conducted to identify the variant.
