The number of confirmed and suspected meningitis cases in the outbreak in Kent has fallen to 29.
The total marks a decrease from 34 cases reported on Saturday, and includes two – a 21-year-old student at the University of Kent and a sixth form pupil at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham – who died from the virus last weekend.
It includes confirmed cases and those that remain under investigation.
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Explaining the fall in the total, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said: “Some cases initially classified as confirmed cases have been reclassified following further laboratory results and clinical investigation.
“As further laboratory assessments are completing, we expect some further probable cases to be downgraded in the coming days.”.
The latest figures include 20 “confirmed” laboratory cases, and nine which remain under investigation.
Dr Sherine Thomas, UKHSA infectious diseases consultant, said the agency would “remain vigilant for new cases”, and added: “It’s reassuring to have seen so many eligible young people come forward for antibiotics and vaccination, and we’d like to thank everyone involved in this effort so far.
“Although the risk to the wider population remains low, it is still really important that people know the symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease and seek immediate medical attention if they or anyone they know develops them.”
NHS Kent and Medway said that 8,002 vaccines had been administered, and 12,157 antibiotics had been handed out, as of 5.55pm on Saturday.
On Friday Kent County Council’s director of public health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, speculated on three “rough” scenarios over the next four weeks.
He said the “most likely” scenario would see people travelling off campus outside Kent and then spreading the bacteria to others within a household.
The alternative scenarios would see cases remaining contained in Kent or, in a “highly unlikely” worst-case, the outbreak could result in another cluster outside the county.
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/meningitis-outbreak-total-cases-in-kent-falls-13522977