Meningitis B outbreak in UK .. ( bacterial meningitis, also called meningococcal disease ) .. 2 dead

aidanodr · 18-03-2026 12:19PM #1

Just keeping an eye on this one. It is a strain of Meningitis - Meningitis B - that, in UK anyway, it is not vacinated against unless you pay for it - around £200 for 2 shot course.

HSE Page on this:

https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/meningitis-and-septicaemia/vaccines/

I would assume authorties here are keeping there eye on this especially with the Rugger weekend and St patricks yesterday which would surely have had many visiting from the UK

The UK health minister or some one high up in UK health has announced it is now of national concern.

Seems its about 7 days or so before symptoms show up.

https://news.sky.com/story/meningitis-outbreak-latest-university-student-and-school-pupil-die-as-11-also-fall-ill-13520387

Listening to LBC last while and it was mentioned by the presenter that there is a possible case now in NORTHERN IRELAND.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/health/parents-at-ni-school-on-alert-after-pupil-16-treated-in-hospital-for-suspected-meningitis/a/142746723.html

I suppose and from past recent experiences people should just keep an eye on this ..

I am sure there would be people here who have had past experience of Meningitis them selves or a family member

Conspiracy theory corner: With the outbreak of war in Iran - Bio Terrorism using a strain of meningitis that is not generally vacinated against??

pc7 · 18-03-2026 12:26PM

I had a friend die of it years back,I paid for one of my kids to have the vaccine when they were younger because of that, it wasn't on the immunisation schedule. Came in in 2016, I know Uni's here in the past have done catch up programmes when there is an outbreak. Very sad, may the poor kids RIP

aidanodr · 18-03-2026 12:27PM

Also on LBC - its already started. Posts on social media blaming this outbreak on the Covid vaccines.

aidanodr · 18-03-2026 12:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124321320#Comment_124321320

In UK they dont vacinate the general population for meningitis B variation, not sure what the situation is here.

igCorcaigh · 18-03-2026 12:41PM

A cluster of that size is very unusual, as it's not particularly infectious.

aidanodr · 18-03-2026 12:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124321375#Comment_124321375

I think it is infectious/contagious BUT many who contract it do not become ill it seems.

https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/vaccinepreventable/viralmeningitis/factsheet/

The viruses that cause viral meningitis are contagious and can be easily spread from person to person. However most people who get infected with these viruses do not become ill, or else just develop a mild cold or rash with a slight fever. Less than 1 in 1000 people infected with these viruses develop viral meningitis.

I suppose, in UK anyway, the younger population are NOT vaccinated for Meningitis B strain

Re "A cluster of that size is very unusual" - see my Conspiracy Theory corner in OP

aidanodr · 18-03-2026 12:53PM

In the OP I mentioned a possible case in Northern Ireland:

Parents at NI school on alert after pupil (16) treated in hospital for suspected meningitis

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/health/parents-at-ni-school-on-alert-after-pupil-16-treated-in-hospital-for-suspected-meningitis/a/142746723.html

pc7 · 18-03-2026 12:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124321344#Comment_124321344

It came into our schedule in 2016 for all kids on the immunisation path.

aidanodr · 18-03-2026 12:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124321425#Comment_124321425

Good news ..

pc7 · 18-03-2026 12:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124321427#Comment_124321427

Big time, they've also recently added chickenpox which is great too, can be an awful nasty dose, parents needs week or two off work well worth it long term.

Wanderer78 · 18-03-2026 01:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058436054/meningitis-b-outbreak-in-uk-2-young-people-died-so-far

it has nothing to do with the war, its just an outbreak, thats all!

igCorcaigh · 18-03-2026 01:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124321397#Comment_124321397

This event is bacterial meningitis AFAIK.

Wanderer78 · 18-03-2026 01:07PM

nasty nasty thing all the same, scary, i know a chap that came close to dying from it

aidanodr · 18-03-2026 01:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124321442#Comment_124321442

I realise that @Wanderer78 .. just flagging it as a conspiracy theory along with another - meningitis outbreak being caused by Covid Vaccines. Already appearing on social media. 100% not agreeing with these at all, just flagging this, probably inevitable.

NIMAN · 18-03-2026 01:13PM

Did hear a nightclub or music venue mentioned? As a potential epicentre of it?

Wanderer78 · 18-03-2026 01:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124321473#Comment_124321473

apologies, yea, social media is a bloody mess, as its largely filled with mis and dis information ,thank god i never truly embraced it, as boards and reddit is pretty much as far i went with it, and even they have a lot of sh1te posted on them

aidanodr · 18-03-2026 01:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124321449#Comment_124321449

Point taken. Here is an article from the Cleveland Clinic on bacterial meningitis:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11039-bacterial-meningitis

What is bacterial meningitis?
Bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening type of meningitis. Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes (meninges) that surround and protect your brain and spinal cord. An infection of the fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord usually causes this inflammation. Anyone experiencing symptoms of meningitis should seek medical care immediately. Bacterial meningitis can cause death within hours.

Viral vs. bacterial meningitis
Bacterial meningitis and viral meningitis both cause inflammation of your meninges. Bacterial infections cause bacterial meningitis and viral infections cause viral meningitis. Viral meningitis is more common but isn’t usually as serious as bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis can cause the tissues around your brain to swell. This in turn can interfere with blood flow and can result in paralysis, stroke and even death.

How do you get bacterial meningitis?
The bacteria most often responsible for bacterial meningitis are common in the environment. They can be in your nose and throat at any time without causing any harm. You may not get sick, but you can still spread the bacteria to other people who could get sick. You can spread the bacteria through close contact with someone else. The bacteria commonly spreads through respiratory secretions when you’re sneezing, coughing or kissing.

Is bacterial meningitis contagious?
Yes. If you’ve had bacterial meningitis, you should encourage anyone you’ve had close contact with to seek preventive treatment with antibiotics.

Jakey Rolling · 18-03-2026 01:34PM

Had been contemplating for a while getting the Men B vaccine for our teenage lads (one at college) - just made a few calls there and its hard to find out how where to get it - GP batted us off to Community Services, they say GP should be able to arrange it. No guidance on HSE website. Would be paying for it obvs, as not on normal vacc list except for infants since 2016. Do colleges ever do vaccination campaigns for this?

Third level is a hotbed for this type of infection nto spread. Easy to wake up with a sore head thinking its a hangover - if meningitis then urgent tretament is essential.

pc7 · 18-03-2026 01:38PM

@Jakey Rolling colleges have in the past done it, I got it for mine (but was pre 2016) GP did the prescription, pharmacist ordered it in and GP gave it. So if GP fobbing you off I'd talk to your pharmacist as a starting point.

aidanodr · 18-03-2026 01:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124321536#Comment_124321536

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124321547#Comment_124321547

@Jakey Rolling Im here in Carrigaline, Co. Cork. Just noted a local GP is now offering Meningitis B vaccines.

https://carrigmedical.com/meningitis-b-vaccine/

So maybe it is the case, and as mentioned by @pc7 to drop by local pharmacists to find out what GPs in your area are offering these.

Jakey Rolling · 18-03-2026 01:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124321559#Comment_124321559

Pharmacist was my first call, they directed me to GP! Will keep on the case

Having lost my brother in 1974 to meningitis as a complication of measles, I am acutely aware of the risks. (And continue to shake my head at those anti-vax loons out there)

Mullinabreena · 18-03-2026 02:31PM

I had it when I was 18, thankfully my younger brothers quick reaction im still alive today.

aidanodr · 18-03-2026 05:42PM

Like I mentioned earlier .. the fake news, conspiracy theories are flying around social media. Like this one on Facebook. Majority of comments believe it. Bourne out of the majority on social media who see a crafted headline and never investigate further, just comment on that headline, as is case here.

Critical thinking all but gone for most, just could not be bothered.

Red Silurian · 18-03-2026 05:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124322211#Comment_124322211

Clearly false information. With that being said, in 2020 everybody believed lockdowns like you had in China wouldn't happen to us. There's likely a fear that that will happen among the general public

aidanodr · 18-03-2026 06:29PM

Second university hit by outbreak

Canterbury Christ Church University has confirmed one of its students has meningitis.

In a statement, the university said:

"The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has now confirmed one case of meningococcal disease for a CCCU student.

https://news.sky.com/story/meningitis-outbreak-latest-university-student-and-school-pupil-die-as-11-also-fall-ill-13520387?postid=11333448#liveblog-body

Randycove · 18-03-2026 06:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124321397#Comment_124321397

they do the same as us, but these teenagers who are affected would be too old to have received it as babies.

drunkmonkey · 18-03-2026 06:58PM

the one the kids get only lasts for the first couple of years. It’s to protect infants.
there’s a bit of hype going on UK cases are still within the normal range, the cluster is a bit unusual.

We’ve plenty of cases here every year, it’s nothing new.
Vaccine is for high risk individuals, the general population doesn’t need it. Odds are about 100,000 to 1 of catching it and the odds that being fatal if you get antibiotics in time are up to 1 in 10 million.

Just be aware of the symptoms. Don’t think there’s any need to go panic.

HerrKapitan · 18-03-2026 07:44PM

Let's hope The Journal renew David Jordan contract for this. He was a well of information during covid.

JupiterKid · 19-03-2026 01:13AM

An acquaintance and a poster on another website forum I'm a member of is from Kent and he opined on that forum that the media are have blown this outbreak out of all proportion as alarmist reporting.

It's good to be alerted about this, but panic induced by the UK red tops is never a desirable outcome.

adaminho · 19-03-2026 09:20AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124323487#Comment_124323487

It seems that while it may have originated in the Chemistry Nightclub the fact that most of the student accomodation is on campus has exacerbated the spread. I know from experience that some of the accommodation is large houses with 9-10 per house and students often had an open door policy when socialising on campus.

igCorcaigh · 19-03-2026 10:36AM

The number of cases has risen to 27. Very unusual.

Meningitis B outbreak in UK .. ( bacterial meningitis, also called meningococcal disease ) .. 2 dead

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