MHES and PHD Monitoring Meningitis Outbreak in the UK

19 March 2026 | Press Release | By: MHES Communications

The Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability (MHES) and the Public Health Department (PHD) are actively monitoring an outbreak of meningitis in the United Kingdom.  On 15 March, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), issued a public health alert confirming two people had died during an outbreak of meningitis in the county of Kent, near London.  To date, 15 cases of meningococcal disease have been confirmed and an additional 12 are under investigation within that region.  The local response has included the distribution of antibiotics to students and close contacts of confirmed cases at the University of Kent and other impacted schools in Kent, as well as a targeted vaccination programme for students in the area.

 

“I appreciate that there is a lot of concern locally about the meningitis outbreak in the UK,” explains Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hilary Wolf.  “It is important to state that this is not the type of outbreak that easily transcends borders.  The transmission of meningitis requires close contact with those who have it, which is why it spreads so easily in school settings, especially where young people are also living together in dormitories. Thus, the reason why this outbreak is only affecting students in the Kent area at this time.  However, we will continue to monitor the situation and will issue periodic updates as needed.” 

 

Dr. Wolf continues: “As part of our National Vaccination Schedule, students who are going to college abroad are given 2 different meningococcal vaccines that cover a multitude of meningococcal strains.  Vaccination continues to be the best form of prevention against meningitis, so we encourage both parents and young people to make sure they are up to date on their vaccines.”

 

To date, there have been no confirmed cases of meningitis in the Cayman Islands this year.  “The Public Health Department (PHD) conducts routine surveillance and monitoring for meningitis,” adds Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez.  “The Cayman Islands Molecular Biology Laboratory (CIMBL) has the ability to test for Meningitis B locally, allowing for early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Bacterial meningitis, which is caused by different types of bacteria, falls under the list of notifiable disease in the Cayman Islands, so practitioners are reminded of their duty to notify Public Health should there be a suspicion of a case.”

 

Residents who have returned from the UK and are feeling unwell are urged to seek medical care immediately if they develop the following symptoms that rapidly worsen: 

  • fever (greater than 38.0 °C or 101 °F)
  • severe headache
  • vomiting
  • stiff neck
  • rapid breathing
  • sensitivity to light
  • rash (initially appear as small, red pinpricks which spread and change to red or purple blotches)
  • confusion
  • unusual drowsiness or difficulty to rouse from sleep
  • joint and muscle pain

 

For more information, contact the Public Health Department on 244-2889 or 244-2621.

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