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Claire Donovan, Helpline and Information Nurse Manager at Meningitis Now, has stated that “with regards to cases rising, the quick answer is yes’’.
In simple terms, meningitis is the inflammation of the lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It’s the bacterial infection in the fluid build-up that causes swelling. Meningitis can also be caused through other factors such as cancer, drugs, and injuries.
Claire Donovan told City News that “tiny red or pin prick marks which can develop into larger red or purple areas that look like bruises’’ are warning signs that you potentially have the illness.
Claire also said that, ‘’during COVID, reported cases of meningitis fell to an all-time low. This was due to social distancing, reducing the spread of bacteria that causes meningitis. Many infectious diseases also fell during this time”.
“Since social distancing measures stopped, cases of meningitis have been steadily rising again, especially in young people (15-24). It is currently unknown if cases will rise above pre-Covid levels or remain slightly lower in the years ahead’’.
So, is being out of the COVID hot seat bringing about a new cause for concern?
As reported by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), many students missed the free MenACWY vaccine rolled out in schools, making universities a breeding ground for meningitis.
Phil Ranson, from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has stated that the ‘’key to preventing deaths and associated complications in people who contract the disease’’ is ‘’the introduction of specific vaccines and the vaccination programme for teenagers and young adults’’.
These options include the MenACWY vaccine and the MenACWY immunisation program, which is offered to pupils in year 9 and 10 and was commissioned by NHS England.
Phil Ranson stated that the meningitis symptoms to look out for are “a combination of a fever, headache, and neck stiffness’’. Once meningitis is contracted, ‘’up to 90% of people who die of the meningococcal disease, usually do so within 24 hours of the first symptoms appearing’’.
Freya Gadsden-Bolton, Communications Officer from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), provided data they last updated in 2023. The data showed that vaccination rates has continued to drop in schools, and has been consecutively lower than in previous years.
Following on from the end of last year, students are continuing to miss out the free MenACWY vaccination offered in schools. High levels of socialising at university are also contributing to the rise in meningitis, where students are more susceptible to spreading germs.
These vaccines are then not received later, with the UKHSA stating that by the time these students reach college and university, ‘’1 in 8 remain unprotected against 4 strains of meningococcal bacteria’’. According to Freya Gadsden-Bolton, this is still a relevant factor.
City News reached out to Imperial College London and University College London (UCL) but they declined to comment.
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Standfirst
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HeadlineHigher socialising levels are making university students more susceptible to Meningitis
Short HeadlineIs Meningitis rising after Covid?
StandfirstThe UKHSA's latest data update shows that the number of students receiving the MenACWY immunisation is declining annually.
Claire Donovan, Helpline and Information Nurse Manager at Meningitis Now, has stated that “with regards to cases rising, the quick answer is yes’’.
In simple terms, meningitis is the inflammation of the lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It’s the bacterial infection in the fluid build-up that causes swelling. Meningitis can also be caused through other factors such as cancer, drugs, and injuries.
Claire Donovan told City News that “tiny red or pin prick marks which can develop into larger red or purple areas that look like bruises’’ are warning signs that you potentially have the illness.
Claire also said that, ‘’during COVID, reported cases of meningitis fell to an all-time low. This was due to social distancing, reducing the spread of bacteria that causes meningitis. Many infectious diseases also fell during this time”.
“Since social distancing measures stopped, cases of meningitis have been steadily rising again, especially in young people (15-24). It is currently unknown if cases will rise above pre-Covid levels or remain slightly lower in the years ahead’’.
So, is being out of the COVID hot seat bringing about a new cause for concern?
As reported by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), many students missed the free MenACWY vaccine rolled out in schools, making universities a breeding ground for meningitis.
Phil Ranson, from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has stated that the ‘’key to preventing deaths and associated complications in people who contract the disease’’ is ‘’the introduction of specific vaccines and the vaccination programme for teenagers and young adults’’.
These options include the MenACWY vaccine and the MenACWY immunisation program, which is offered to pupils in year 9 and 10 and was commissioned by NHS England.
Phil Ranson stated that the meningitis symptoms to look out for are “a combination of a fever, headache, and neck stiffness’’. Once meningitis is contracted, ‘’up to 90% of people who die of the meningococcal disease, usually do so within 24 hours of the first symptoms appearing’’.
Freya Gadsden-Bolton, Communications Officer from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), provided data they last updated in 2023. The data showed that vaccination rates has continued to drop in schools, and has been consecutively lower than in previous years.
Following on from the end of last year, students are continuing to miss out the free MenACWY vaccination offered in schools. High levels of socialising at university are also contributing to the rise in meningitis, where students are more susceptible to spreading germs.
These vaccines are then not received later, with the UKHSA stating that by the time these students reach college and university, ‘’1 in 8 remain unprotected against 4 strains of meningococcal bacteria’’. According to Freya Gadsden-Bolton, this is still a relevant factor.
City News reached out to Imperial College London and University College London (UCL) but they declined to comment.
