Meningitis explained: who is most at risk? episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 18, 2026 · 15 MIN

Meningitis explained: who is most at risk?

from Science Weekly · host The Guardian

Over the weekend, news emerged of an outbreak of meningitis among university and school students in Kent in south-east England. The outbreak has killed two young people and left several others seriously ill. Health officials confirmed that the meningitis B strain has been identified in some of the cases. To find out what we know about the outbreak, who is most at risk and why questions are being asked about who has access to the meningitis B vaccine, Madeleine Finlay speaks to Eliza Gil, a clinical lecturer specialising in infectious disease at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

Over the weekend, news emerged of an outbreak of meningitis among university and school students in Kent in south-east England. The outbreak has killed two young people and left several others seriously ill. Health officials confirmed that the meningitis B strain has been identified in some of the cases. To find out what we know about the outbreak, who is most at risk and why questions are being asked about who has access to the meningitis B vaccine, Madeleine Finlay speaks to Eliza Gil, a clinical lecturer specialising in infectious disease at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod">theguardian.com/sciencepod</a>

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Meningitis explained: who is most at risk?

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Over the weekend, news emerged of an outbreak of meningitis among university and school students in Kent in south-east England. The outbreak has killed two young people and left several others seriously ill. Health officials confirmed that the...

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