Meningitis strain at the centre of Kent outbreak explained
Answers here to some key questions
Health officials have completed a genetic analysis of the strain of meningitis at the centre of the deadly outbreak in Kent.
But what is the strain and what does this mean?
– What is the strain of meningitis B in Kent?
Following genetic analysis, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed the strain in Kent belongs to a group of bacteria known as group B meningococci, sequence type 485 belonging to the larger clonal complex ST-41/44.
John Lees, group leader at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), said these are “low-resolution molecular fingerprints that don’t tell us that much on their own”.
“What we do know is that this strain has probably been circulating since 2010 but increasing in frequency since then,” he added.
Further analysis is ongoing to understand more about the strain, officials said.
– Is this a new variant?
No, it has previously been identified in the UK and is not a new variant, although experts suggest it “appears to be a new subvariant”.
The UKHSA said similar strains have been circulating in the UK for around five years but detailed analysis of the outbreak pathogen is required.
Brendan Wren, professor of microbial pathogenesis at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said: “The menB ST-41/44 clonal complex has been previously identified in the UK, but the strain circulating in Kent appears to be a new subvariant.”
– Does the vaccine work against it?
Yes, the current Bexsero menB vaccine should provide protection against this strain.
– Should we expect more cases?
Experts said is it likely that confirmed cases will rise, although there are suggestions the “peak” has passed.
Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, said: “The incubation period though a little uncertain ranges from two to 10 days, so I think we can be fairly certain that the peak from the initial superspreading event will have already passed.”
However, Prof Hunter said secondary cases – people who did not get infected at the nightclub but from someone else who was there – are still a possibility.
Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, said “given the extent of contact tracing from public health teams, and the widespread publicity, it is plausible that we are seeing the tail-end of this outbreak”.