Another educational institution has reported a student with a suspected case of meningitis, unrelated to the recent outbreak in Kent. St John Rigby College in Orrell has informed parents and caregivers about a student with a ‘suspected meningococcal case.’
This development follows a deadly outbreak originating at the University of Kent, which was notified to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on March 13, resulting in the loss of two lives. Official reports indicate a decrease in confirmed cases in Kent from 23 to 20, with the number of suspected cases under investigation also dropping from 11 to nine.
St John Rigby College in Orrell, Wigan, communicated to families on Friday night regarding the suspected case of meningococcal infection among students. The college stated that the UKHSA had informed them about the student’s condition, emphasizing that swift actions were taken and that there is only one suspected case at the college, with no known link to the situation in Kent.
The college assured that contact tracing had been completed, close contacts had been identified and offered antibiotics as a precaution, and the risk to students was deemed very low. Students were advised to continue with their regular activities as there was no need for them to stay away from college.
Meanwhile, in Kent, students were seen lining up for vaccines and antibiotics at the University of Kent campus in Canterbury. The number of meningitis cases associated with the Kent outbreak has decreased, with confirmed cases reduced from 23 to 20, as per the latest update from UKHSA.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged the challenging circumstances faced by those affected and frontline responders, expressing gratitude for their dedicated efforts in managing the outbreak and ensuring public safety.