The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has stated that the general population in the EU and European Economic Area faces a very low risk of invasive meningococcal disease linked to a recent outbreak in Kent, England.
Two deaths have been reported among 20 confirmed cases in the Canterbury area, according to UK health authorities. France has identified one possible related case.
The ECDC emphasized that if more than 10 days have passed since exposure, the risk of developing the disease is extremely low. However, immediate action-including antibiotics and MenB vaccination-is required if a case is detected in the EU/EEA.
Healthcare professionals are urged to consider travel history, especially to Kent, when assessing suspected cases. Ongoing surveillance, including genomic monitoring, is in place.