Guidance: Outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease, South East England
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Contents Invasive meningococcal disease: advice for the NHS in
England Epidemiology Management of cases Notifying UKHSA Management
of contacts Advice concerning vaccination Additional resources and
sources of information Invasive meningococcal disease: advice for
the NHS in England You may be aware of an evolving situation
involving multiple cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD)
reported among...Request free trial
Contents
Invasive meningococcal disease: advice for the NHS in England You may be aware of an evolving situation involving multiple cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) reported among young people linked to the University of Kent and the Canterbury area. More information about IMD, signs and symptoms to look out for, and approaches to clinical and public health management are provided in the accompanying Briefing Note. The purpose of this CAS Alert is to outline priority steps that primary care and hospital clinicians should consider taking to manage suspected cases, potential contacts of cases, and to reduce the risk of infection spreading. Note that this is a rapidly evolving situation and we will update advice as further information emerges. Epidemiology Between 13 and 17 March 2026, UKHSA identified 20 cases of invasive meningococcal disease in the South East. Six cases have been confirmed as Neisseria meningitidis group B. Most cases are students from the University of Kent, Canterbury, and sixth form students from local secondary schools. At least 10 cases attended Club Chemistry in Canterbury on 5, 6 or 7 March 2026. The illness has been severe with rapid deterioration, and 2 deaths have occurred. Management of casesInfection prevention and control (IPC) and personal protective equipment (PPE) For patients presenting with suspected meningococcal disease, standard infection prevention and control precautions should be followed in line with the National infection prevention and control manual for England (see Appendix 11). Use appropriate PPE (including Level 2 PPE where clinically indicated) for assessment and management of suspected IMD:
Immediate case management Patients with IMD may present with septicaemia and/or meningitis. Meningococcal sepsis should be considered in a rapidly deteriorating patient with sepsis even in the absence of a non-blanching rash, which is usually a late sign. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion where a young person aged 16 to 30 attends with consistent signs or symptoms. In a community setting, rapid admission to hospital is the highest priority when IMD is suspected. Conveyance to hospital should not be delayed for procurement or administration of antibiotics. In acute settings, patients with sepsis should be managed according to local sepsis guidelines and immediate clinical management should focus on stabilisation (including fluid resuscitation as appropriate) and early engagement with ITU colleagues where necessary. Initial treatment recommendations are as follows (full treatment regimens will be commenced during hospital admission): Immediate single dose of IV/IM Ceftriaxone for suspected meningococcal infections (Ceftriaxone, Drugs, BNFC, NICE):
Alternatively, immediate single dose of IV/IM Benzylpenicillin sodium for suspected meningococcal infections where it is not possible to administer Ceftriaxone (Benzylpenicillin sodium, Drugs, BNF, NICE):
Information regarding clinical samples that should be taken for suspected IMD cases and referring meningococcal-positive clinical materials (including isolates, PCR-positive clinical samples and/or DNA extracts, and lysate extracted from Biofire loading syringes) to the National Meningococcal Reference Laboratory, is included in UKHSA national guidance. Notifying UKHSA All suspected cases of invasive meningococcal disease are statutorily notifiable by registered medical practitioners to the responsible UKHSAhealth protection team, without waiting for laboratory confirmation. Notify UKHSA by contacting your health protection team. Management of contactsInforming contacts Remind any presenting contacts of the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) and the importance of seeking urgent medical attention if they have symptoms (even if prophylaxis has been taken). Early detection and treatment can save lives. The UKHSASouth East Health Protection Team have provided warn and inform information to all cases and close contacts and are liaising closely with all educational and other community settings to provide advice. Providing antibiotic chemoprophylaxis Close contacts of confirmed or probable cases are being identified by UKHSAand require antibiotic prophylaxis. Timely chemoprophylaxis will prevent cases of disease and will save lives. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be given as soon as possible (ideally within 24 hours) after the diagnosis of the index case, regardless of vaccination status. Eligibility is defined in national UKHSA and NICE CKS guidance. This includes people who had the following forms of contact during the 7 days before onset of illness in the index case:
In response to this outbreak, a wider group of contacts have been identified as requiring antibiotic prophylaxis on a precautionary basis:
Local clinics are offering chemoprophylaxis to contacts in the Canterbury area. If an eligible close contact presents to a healthcare setting (primary or secondary care) and has not already received prophylaxis through UKHSA‑coordinated clinics, this should be prescribed for them. As the outbreak evolves, further groups may be identified that require antibiotic prophylaxis and will be communicated with directly. Where an eligible close contact presents and has not already received prophylaxis please prescribe this as per National guidance. The first line treatment is ciprofloxacin: Ciprofloxacin dosage (for one dose) [note1] All to be given as a single dose:
Note 1. Ciprofloxacin
suspension contains 250 mg/5ml. If ciprofloxacin is not suitable, alternatives are listed in the national guidance. Where demand exceeds capacity, ICBs are responsible for ensuring timely access to post‑exposure prophylaxis and vaccination in line with NHS England commissioning guidance. Advice concerning vaccination Given the severity of the outbreak, and as an additional precautionary measure, a targeted vaccination programme will begin, starting with students that are residents of the Canterbury Campus Halls of Residence at the University of Kent who will be contacted directly. Precise details of eligibility will be confirmed by UKHSA. UKHSA will continue to assess ongoing risk to other populations and the programme may be extended. Additional resources and sources of information
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