There's another outbreak. This time it is in the UK, and this time it is meningitis. The outbreak is about 20 cases in college students. Sadly, two students died.  The entire outbreak at Kent University in the UK is being described as a rare, unprecedented event. At the time of this writing, 29 total cases are reported from two universities and four other schools in Kent. Eighteen (18) are confirmed cases with 11 suspected cases. Some of the cases have been identified as Meningitis B (MenB). All students with confirmed cases have been hospitalized.

About MenB

Bacterial meningitis is rarer but much more serious than the milder form of viral meningitis. The B strain is the most common seen in the UK but physicians there usually see it in young children, and not in university-age adults. Babies in the UK are vaccinated against MenB.

The disease usually shows general cold-like symptoms (headache, fever, etc.) early, but it can spread quickly and the person's health can rapidly worsen. Later symptoms are neck stiffness, drowsiness, and a rash that won't go away.