Health officials are examining whether a mutated strain of bacteria caused the meningitis outbreak in Kent.Researchers are analysing whether the bacteria has developed “additional superpowers” that could explain its unusual spread.Lab tests are being conducted on samples from patients in hospital to examine its genetic code for significant mutations.Professor Robin May, the chief scientific officer at the UK Health Security Agency, said the Canterbury outbreak was “very unusual” because meningitis normally appears as isolated, one-off cases.He added: “Most days, actually, we would see one [case of meningitis] in the UK. This is obviously a much larger number. “What is particularly remarkable about this case, and unexpected about this case, is the large number of cases all originating from what seems to be a single event.”There are two possible reasons for that. One is that there might be something about the kind of behaviours that individual people are doing.”The other possibility is the bacteria itself may have evolved to be better at transmitting.”Students have been queuing up in Kent to receive their vaccinations since the start of the outbreak | PADr Chris Smith, a consultant virologist, told the BBC the unusual element was how one event had “translated into a lot of people who’ve developed the invasive infection.”He pointed to “the code behind this bacterium”, asking “what’s in that that might endow it with these additional superpowers that’s turned it into this more invasive form of meningitis?”The UKHSA has confirmed the group B meningococcal strain is responsible.This type of bacteria typically lives harmlessly in the throat but can sometimes invade the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
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Researchers are analysing whether the bacteria behind the outbreak has developed ‘additional superpowers’ that could explain its unusual spread | GETTYSeven additional cases were reported on Thursday, bringing the total number of infections to 27, while two people have died: Juliette Kenny, a sixth-form student, and a university student aged 21.The outbreak has been linked to “superspreader” events at Club Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury between March 5 and 7.Health leaders describe it as the largest cluster of cases ever traced to a single venue.The bacteria spreads only through close contact such as kissing or sharing vapes and drinks.Such behaviour at the nightclub could also account for the outbreak, rather than genetic mutations.The outbreak has been linked to ‘superspreader’ events at the Club Chemistry nightclub | GETTYConcerns have grown after someone with suspected meningitis “revisited” the club following the initial superspreader nights.Anyone who attended Club Chemistry in the past fortnight has been urged to seek antibiotics and vaccines.Vaccines are being offered to sixth-formers at four Kent schools with reported cases, plus students at the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University.However, more than 100 people waiting for MenB vaccines at the Kent campus were turned away on Thursday due to insufficient NHS capacity.Three members of a university cheerleading society are among those infected.Olivia Parkins, 18, a classics student at the University of Kent, said: “I know quite a lot of people who are in hospital with it — a lot of people from the cheerleading society which I’m part of.”