Three meningitis cases discovered among secondary school pupils in Dorset

Meningitis vaccinations are being offered to young people in Dorset after three cases of the disease were discovered. 

All three cases were among schoolchildren in the Weymouth area, health officials said.

They were found to have Meningitis B (MenB) - the bacterial version of the disease rather than the viral strain.

However it was a different sub-strain to the type detected in Kent last month, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed.

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The recent outbreak in the Canterbury area affected more than 30 people, leaving one sixth form pupil and a university student dead.

Antibiotics and MenB vaccinations are now being offered to young people between the ages of seven and 13 across the Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell areas of Dorset.

The UKHSA said the three cases were confirmed between March 20 and April 15 and that those affected are "recovering well".

The three students affected have received treatment and that close contacts have already been offered antibiotics as a precaution.

In an announcement on Friday, the UKHSA said it is recommending a single dose of antibiotics and a meningitis B vaccine is offered to young people who live or go to school in the Weymouth area

Two of the young people attended Budmouth Academy, while the other went to Wey Valley Academy - both are separate secondary schools in Weymouth around three miles apart.

Health officials warned this could mean this particular strain of MenB bacteria is transmitting more widely among young people in Weymouth.

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Dr Beth Smout, UKHSA deputy director, said outbreaks similar to the one seen in Kent "are rare" and these cases are "not on the same scale - in terms of speed of transmission or severity".

However Dr Smout warned: "It is possible that we will see further cases linked to these latest cases in Weymouth and we understand that there will be concern among students, staff, parents and the local community as we widen our offer of antibiotics and vaccination.

"I'd like to stress that this is an additional precaution, and that we're following national guidelines to reduce the risk of the infection spreading.

"School pupils and staff should attend school as normal if they remain well."

(c) Sky News 2026: Three meningitis cases discovered among secondary school pupils in Dorset