Surge in cases of deadly ‘brain-invading’ bug across UK prompts urgent calls to protect children from ‘critical threat’
PARENTS have been urged to “act swiftly” after cases of a deadly brain bug have surged across England.
The infection, which often rears its ugly head in September, can be prevented with a vaccine, according to a charity.
Meningitis is an infection in the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites.
Symptoms include headaches, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, fever and a sensitivity to light.
The warning from Meningitis Now comes after UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) figures published last month showed a rise in invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases in England.
IMD is a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and septicaemia, with symptoms sometimes worsening rapidly.
According to the UKHSA, there were 396 lab-confirmed cases of IMD in 2022/23 compared with 205 cases in 2021/22.
Based on Office for National Statistics (ONS) death registrations, there were 33 deaths out of the 396 cases.
It comes after IMD cases fell by 83 per cent in 2020/21 due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.
Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive at Meningitis Now, said: “While the decrease in cases during the pandemic provided some respite, this recent surge is a clear reminder that meningitis remains a critical health threat.
“We want to stress the importance of vigilance and vaccination. We urge everyone, particularly those in unvaccinated age groups, to familiarise themselves with the symptoms and to act swiftly if they suspect meningitis.”
Julia Evans, 53, from Aberbargoed in South Wales, was diagnosed with viral meningitis just before Christmas 2019.
She was concerned when she started to see flashes of light while driving to work.
“I thought it was an aura and I was having a migraine,” Ms Evans said. “At work I took some paracetamol, but my headache was getting worse and every time I tried to stand up it felt like there was an elephant on my head.”
After losing her vision, colleagues called 111, who sent paramedics. By then, Ms Evans’ fever was 41.9C.
“They put me on a drip immediately and sent for an ambulance. By the time it turned up all my senses were being affected,” she added.
“The consultant came to see me and within five minutes he told me he thought I had meningitis.
“And I remember thinking, no, I can’t be – I thought meningitis was something that only happens to younger people.”
We usually see increases in cases of meningococcal meningitis after the university term starts in September
Dr Shamez Ladhani
As a result of the infection, Ms Evans has problems with her eyesight and hearing, and relies on a walking stick or wheelchair.
“I still have lots of hospital appointments,” she said. “Meningitis damaged my eyesight.
“I lost hearing in my right ear, I now have to use a walking stick or a wheelchair, I have weakness down the entire right side of my body and I have trouble with body pain, headaches and insomnia.
“I also have some nerve damage in my spine because of the lumbar puncture.
“That’s the thing that I’ve learned over the years, any sort of damage to the brain can affect every single part of your body.
“It’s just a new life. When something like this happens to you, when you’re left with numerous disabilities – you just have to find a new way of living.”
Dr Shamez Ladhani, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: “We usually see increases in cases of meningococcal meningitis after the university term starts in September.
“New and returning students from around the country and overseas coming together and mixing means infection spreads easily, with some students becoming seriously ill and tragically in some cases, we see deaths.
“I urge young people starting or returning to university to check they’re up to date on their MenACWY, HPV and MMR jabs and to contact their GP if unsure.”
The MenACWY jab is typically offered in year 9 or 10 to children aged 13-15 as protection against serious infections like meningitis and septicaemia, which can be deadly.
The jab is also available to anyone who missed the vaccine up to their 25th birthday.
What are the symptoms of meningitis?
The symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and include:
- A high fever over 37.5 degrees – the average human temperature
- Being sick
- A headache
- A blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it
- Stiffness, especially in the neck
- Sensitivity to bright lights
- Drowsiness, irritability or lack of energy
- Cold hands and feet
- Seizures
The classic rash associated with meningitis usually looks like small, red pinpricks at first.
But it will spread over the body and turn into red or purple blotches.
If you press the side of a glass firmly against the skin where the rash is and it does not fade, it is a sign of blood poisoning and you should get medical help immediately.
The Meningitis Research Foundation has warned the symptoms can easily be mistaken for a hangover.
The charity urged people to look out for the symptoms in family and friends during winter when the illness is more prevalent.
What vaccines should you or your child have at each age?
EIGHT WEEKS OLD
6-in-1 vaccine – covers diphtheria, hepatitis B, haemophilus, polio, tetanus and whooping cough
Rotavirus vaccine – for highly infectious stomach bugs that cause diarrhoea and vomiting
MenB vaccine – protects against meningococcal group B bacteria that cause meningitis and sepsis
TWELVE WEEKS OLD
6-in-1 vaccine (second dose)
Pneumococcal vaccine – guards against pneumonia and meningitis
Rotavirus vaccine (second dose)
SIXTEEN WEEKS OLD
6-in-1 vaccine (third dose)
MenB vaccine (second dose)
ONE YEAR OLD
Hib/MenC vaccine – haemophilus booster and meningitis C vaccine.
MMR vaccine – guards against measles, mumps and rubella
Pneumococcal vaccine (dose two)
MenB vaccine (third dose)
TWO YEARS TO 11 YEARS
Children’s flu vaccine – given every year until children finish primary school
THREE YEARS AND 4 MONTHS
MMR vaccine (second dose)
4-in-1 pre-school booster – for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio
TWELVE YEARS OLD
HPV vaccine – to protect against cancers including cervical, mouth, throat, anal and genital areas
FOURTEEN YEARS OLD
3-in-1 teenage booster vaccine – diphtheria tetanus and polio
MenACWY vaccine – meningitis
What jabs do adults need?
FLU VACCINE: Over-65s, pregnant women and at-risk health groups
PNEUMONIA: For over-65s and at-risk groups
MMR: Get this at least a month before getting pregnant if you haven’t had it already
SHINGLES: Over-70s
COVID: Children aged six months to four years old if they are at increased risk of getting seriously ill from Covid.Adults who are at increased risk of getting seriously ill from Covid due to a health condition or age will be contacted by the NHS this autumn for a booster.
If you think you or your child has missed a jab, speak to your GP.
It’s best to have vaccines on time, but you can still catch up on most vaccines if you miss them