Very low risk for the EU/EEA from the outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease in Kent, England

As of 18 March 2026, the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported an outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease in Kent, England. The outbreak includes 20 cases notified since 13 March, of whom two have died. Investigations in the UK have identified possible exposure among attendees at a nightclub in Canterbury between 5 and 7 March. The University of Kent is another exposure site; UKHSA is currently following up with staff and students. In addition, France has reported one case of IMD in a person possibly linked to the same outbreak. Outbreaks of meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis typically occur in small clusters around cases or in places where many people gather. Although some secondary cases can occur among close contacts of cases, the disease does not spread in the community like, for example, a respiratory virus.

ECDC assesses the risk of IMD to the general population in the EU/EEA as very low. There is a negligible probability of exposure and of infection in the general population. For individuals who were exposed to this event in Kent but who have previously been vaccinated with the MenB, the likelihood of infection is low, as they are protected by the vaccine; among unvaccinated and exposed individuals, the risk of infection is moderate. However, if more than 10 days have passed from the date of exposure, the risk of developing the disease becomes very low, as the incubation period of the disease is up to 10 days. Among close contacts of cases, targeted control measures with preventive antibiotics and MenB vaccination should be implemented based on individual risk assessment. 

Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of meningitis in returning travellers and include travel history in their assessment of IMD cases, particularly regarding travelling to the Kent region.

Healthcare workers in EU/EEA countries managing suspected or confirmed cases should follow required infection prevention and control protocols, while countries are encouraged to continue surveillance, including molecular surveillance and antibiotic susceptibility testing, to support outbreak control. 

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a rare but severe bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis, with a high mortality rate. This bacterium, when entering the bloodstream, causes severe illnesses such as meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and blood poisoning (septicaemia). Meningococcal disease progresses rapidly and is life-threatening if not promptly detected and treated with antibiotics. 

The highest incidence occurs in young children, adolescents, and young adults, with infants below one year old disproportionately affected. Meningococcal disease notification rates have varied widely across EU/EEA countries in recent years, with some rates being up to eight times higher than others.

In the EU/EEA, an average of around 2 000 cases are reported each year. Of these, the disease is fatal in approximately 10% of cases.

In 2023, EU/EEA countries reported 1 895 IMD cases, including 200 deaths, to ECDC. For 2024, the number of reported cases was 2 263, of which 202 were fatalities. Serogroup B accounted for 57% of cases in 2023 and for 55% in 2024.

In the EU/EEA, vaccination programmes mainly target infants and adolescents, with different vaccines protecting against various serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis, including against serogroup B. However, people of any age may be recommended to get vaccinated or receive a catch-up vaccine.

ECDC is in contact with UK and EU/EEA national authorities in relation to this event and is monitoring the situation through event-based surveillance and integrated epidemiological and genomic surveillance, and is performing regular evaluations. ECDC will update its assessment if needed.