Three Meningitis B Cases in Weymouth Prompt Vaccines for Students
Three Meningitis B Cases in Weymouth Prompt Vaccines for Students
Meningitis B cases in Weymouth lead to antibiotics and MenB vaccination for school pupils in years 7-13 across Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell.
Three young people have contracted meningitis B in Weymouth over recent weeks, with two pupils at Budmouth Academy and another at Wey Valley Academy. The UK Health Security Agency says the cases, confirmed between March 20 and April 15, are not linked to the Kent outbreak. All three are now receiving treatment and are recovering well.
To curb any further spread, health chiefs are offering antibiotics to all pupils in years 7 to 13 across Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell, and extending the MenB vaccination program to cover these years in the conurbation. Close contacts have already received antibiotic prophylaxis as a precaution, and school staff should attend as normal if they are well.
UKHSA deputy director Dr Beth Smout said more cases could emerge, but stressed the situation is being managed with precautionary measures and strict adherence to national guidelines to minimize transmission. 'I'd like to stress that this is an additional precaution, and that we're following national guidelines to reduce the risk of the infection spreading. School pupils and staff should attend school as normal if they remain well.'
Dorset Council and health partners note that meningococcal disease remains relatively rare, with hundreds of cases diagnosed across England each year, and emphasise the importance of vaccination and early treatment in protecting young people.
