BRITS have been urged to ensure they are fully vaccinated against meningitis amid concerns over a "recent surge" of cases in England. The charity Meningitis Now also called on members of the public to educate themselves on the signs and symptoms of the illness, and to "act swiftly" if meningitis is suspected. Meningitis is an infection in the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord and can be caused by bacteria, viruses , fungi or parasites.
Symptoms include headaches , vomiting , stiffness in the neck , fever and a sensitivity to light. The warning from Meningitis Now comes after UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) figures published last month showed a rise in invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases in England. IMD is a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and septicaemia, with symptoms sometimes worsening rapidly.
Read more on meningitis According to the UKHSA, there were 396 lab-confirmed cases of IMD in 2022/23 compared with 205 cases in 2021/22. Based on Office for National Statistics (ONS) death registrations, there were 33 deaths out of the 396 cases. It comes after IMD cases fell by 83 per cent in 2020/21 due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.
Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive at Meningitis Now, said: "While the decrease in cases during the pandemic provided some respite, this recent surge is a clear reminder that meningitis remains a critical health threat. Most read in Health "We want to stress the importance of vigilance and vaccination. We urge everyon.