The number of cases of meningitis linked to the escalating Kent outbreak has risen to 29, health officials revealed today after a further two infections were confirmed.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in its daily update this morning that 18 cases had now been confirmed and a further 11 were under investigation.
Some 13 of the 18 confirmed cases are known to be caused by meningitis B (menB), and all cases have required hospital admission. Today’s total of 29 is an increase from the 27 reported yesterday, 20 on Wednesday, 15 on Tuesday and 13 on Monday.
Two young people have died – Juliette Kenny, 18, a sixth former at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham; and an unnamed University of Kent student aged 21.
The UKHSA said its laboratories have finished an initial genetic analysis of the strain, which confirms the Bexsero vaccine being offered in Kent ‘should provide protection’.
Going into further detail, it said the strain ‘belongs to a group of bacteria known as group B meningococci, sequence type 485 belonging to the larger clonal complex ST-41/44’ – and similar strains have been circulating in the UK for around five years.
Today, Juliette’s father Michael Kenny said his family’s devastation is ‘immeasurable’ and called for better protection for young people. Juliette died last Saturday – one day after first showing symptoms which were vomiting and discolouration in her cheeks.
Mr Kenny said she had been ‘fit, healthy and strong’ before her death and had completed the practical assessment for her PE A-level on Thursday, March 12.
He described Juliette as having a ‘beautifully positive energy’, adding that ‘no family should experience this pain and tragedy’ and that ‘this can be avoided’.
Mr Kenny also said he wanted his daughter’s legacy to be ‘lasting change’, saying in a statement: ‘We are incredibly proud parents to two wonderful daughters.
A photo issued by the Meningitis Research Foundation of the Kenny family (left to right) Juliette, Michael, Rebecca and Florence. Juliette Kenny died from meningitis last Saturday
Queuing outside a meningitis vaccination hub at Vicarage Lane Clinic in Ashford, Kent, today
Queuing outside a meningitis vaccination hub at Vicarage Lane Clinic in Ashford, Kent, today
Juliette Kenny, 18, died on Saturday surrounded by her family after falling victim to meningitis