More infected with infectious meningitis
Can be confused with hangover
Linnea Blomberg
Two students have died in an outbreak of meningitis in Kent, UK.
Several have become seriously ill – and now the number of victims is increasing.
At the same time, authorities are warning that symptoms can be confused with a hangover.
The number of cases of meningitis linked to the outbreak in Kent, UK has increased to 20, the country's health protection authority says. This is an increase from a previous 15 cases.
As of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, nine of the cases were laboratory confirmed, while a further eleven are still being investigated.
Most of those infected are young adults, and several cases can be linked to an event at a nightclub. People who visited the nightclub between March 5 and 7 are now being urged to take antibiotics as a precaution.
Over 2,500 doses
The authority states that it is working closely with the nightclub and other actors, including the University of Kent, to limit the spread of the infection.
So far, more than 2,500 doses of antibiotics have been distributed. At the same time, a targeted vaccination program for students is being launched. The situation is described as changing and it is estimated that more cases may be added.
Two people have died in connection with the outbreak. One was a student at the University of Kent. The other was a high school student at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in nearby Faversham.
Symptoms can be mistaken for hangover
Common symptoms of meningitis can include fever, headache, rapid breathing, fatigue, chills, vomiting and cold hands and feet.
However, early symptoms can easily be confused with, for example, a cold, flu – or a hangover. According to the authority, this means that students are at particular risk of missing the first warning signs.
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar