March 18, 2026

expert reaction to the transmissibility of meningitis

Dr Bharat Pankhania, Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Exeter Medical School:

“This outbreak is caused by is a bacterial infection and by its nature it is a lot less infectious compared to Influenza, Measles or SARCOV-2. These bacterial infections require close contact and it is a heavy droplet aerosol spread, thus not very infectious and you need to be in close prolonged contact with a case, a family member, or a kissing contact.

“Current approaches are practiced procedure. The key is to identify close contacts, give them antibiotics and what to look out for information. The giving of vaccines is an additional, or a slow burn, protective measure for the long term. Protection from vaccines is not immediate and it takes up to two weeks for the immunity to develop.

“There is no need for restrictions on movement. The key is if you are a close contact in the now broader definition – that is, were at the Club Chemistry over the time period in question, lived in the accommodation block, or are connected to a case – take your antibiotics and be aware of the signs and symptoms of a meningococcal infection. Seek immediate medical help if you are unusually unwell and the key message to your doctor is to mention ‘I am feeling unusually unwell and I have been in recent close contact with a case of Meningococcal disease’ or ‘I was in the vicinity of the Club Chemistry’. The key determinant for immediate actions is if you are unusually unwell. By this I mean, an unusual headache, dislike of bright lights, vomiting, fever, temperature, general malaise. “

Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor of cellular microbiology at the University of Reading, said:

“MenB spreads through close, prolonged contact through activities such as coughing, sneezing, kissing or sharing cups or vapes. It is not as easily transmissible as some other respiratory viruses, such as flu or Covid-19. Most people who carry the bacteria never become ill. The combination of antibiotic treatment, contact tracing and targeted vaccination is the tried and tested public health response to outbreaks and has a strong track record of bringing them under control.

“While students in Kent should follow specific advice, there is no reason for students in the affected area who are well to avoid travelling home for Easter. If students feel unwell, they should seek medical advice immediately, and avoid making close contact with others, particularly more vulnerable people such as young children or people with underlying illnesses which can affect their resilience to disease. However, MenB does not spread easily through casual contact, and the measures already in place are designed to contain localised outbreaks.

“This is not currently a situation that requires anything approaching the restrictions we saw during Covid. Meningococcal disease is serious, but there is no evidence that it presents a pandemic-scale threat.  While there are always valid cost-benefit discussions to be had over vaccination programmes, the public health infrastructure exists to manage it effectively.”

Declared interests

Dr Simon Clarke: “no conflicts to declare.”

Dr Bharat Pankhania: “None”