Opinion | The Guardian•Mar 17
Meningitis is back – and here is why | Devi Sridhar
W ith the tragedy of two young people dying, and a further 13 confirmed cases, meningitis is back in the headlines in the UK, prompting public concern and worry about the risk. Back in the 1990s, around 2,500 lab-confirmed cases of meningococcal disease were recorded annually, largely caused by meningococcal group C bacteria – the disease is caused by a range of bacterial strains, each of which require a different targeted vaccine to prepare the immune system. With the restrictions on mixing and protections taken to limit spread of Covid-19 in 2020, meningitis cases dropped to record lows as a side-effect.