Meningitis outbreak: Number of cases falls for first time

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.

In a statement marking seven days since the first confirmed case of meningitis in Kent, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said that it had been an "incredibly difficult week for those affected and for those working on the front line", saying he was "incredibly grateful to you all".

"As we look ahead to another challenging week, I wanted to pay tribute to the Herculean efforts of everyone who has worked tirelessly to care for those affected and keep people safe", he added.

"We are continuing to urge people in Kent and across the country to keep following the advice, keep living your lives, and keep looking after one another."

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."

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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.

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