A recent meningitis outbreak in the UK prompted a surge of panicked headlines – followed by acknowledgement, and relief, that cases may already have peaked. What should we all know about this disease?
“Outbreaks are alarming, and fear is exacerbated by media reporting. But although meningitis spreads via close, prolonged contact … it is not highly contagious,” World Council for Health writes.
This month, a meningitis outbreak among students in Kent, England – linked to a nightclub in Canterbury – was the subject of serious concern. It tragically claimed the lives of two young people: a teenager and a 21-year-old.
The media coverage was alarming: for example, “The deadly delays in tackling meningitis outbreak,” The Telegraph said. And “experts warn of explosive outbreak … one of the fastest-growing outbreaks of the disease they have seen in the UK,” The Guardian reported.
Yet a few days later, the tone and content were calmer. The BBC announced, “Meningitis outbreak passes peak, says health agency.” Similarly, The Guardian went with, “Kent meningitis outbreak may have peaked as UKHSA reports slowdown in cases.” And the Daily Mail confirmed that “Meningitis cases fall as health officials reveal some people were wrongly told they had the disease.”
So, what are the facts about meningitis, and what do the statistics actually show us? (N.B. Information presented here is up-to-date at the time of writing.)
Meningitis is not a single disease. It’s an umbrella term which covers inflammation of the brain/spinal cord (the meninges).
Most cases are not the dangerous kind. Viral meningitis is far more common and usually self-limiting. Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious.
Overall risk is to the public is low. Total meningitis deaths (from all causes combined) are typically in the low hundreds per year. The meningococcal form – which is most associated with outbreaks among young people – accounts for only a small fraction of these. In England in 2023-4, there were 8 recorded deaths from meningococcal disease, compared with around 30 deaths in adjacent years. The case fatality rate may appear to fluctuate a lot, but that is a normal statistical volatility owing to the small numbers overall.
Many people carry the bacteria harmlessly. Around 1 in 10 people may carry meningococcal bacteria without symptoms.
Early symptoms are non-specific. These include common symptoms such as headache, fever and nausea. But severe cases can deteriorate very quickly....<<<Read More>>>....
