In Latvia, there is no expectation of a meningitis outbreak despite the situation in England

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Despite the ongoing outbreak of meningitis in England, there is currently no reason to fear a large-scale outbreak in Latvia, said Ilze Udre, a representative of the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDPC), to the LETA agency.

At the same time, she emphasized the need for continuous epidemiological surveillance to timely identify and respond to any changes in the spread of the disease.

The website of the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDPC) states that the most common clinical manifestations of invasive meningococcal infection are meningitis (30–60%) and sepsis (20–30%), with pneumonia and arthritis being less common. Symptoms of meningitis often include fever, headache, and neck stiffness, as well as nausea, vomiting, and photophobia. Meningococcal sepsis is characterized by fever and a petechial or purpuric rash, often accompanied by septic shock.

Meningococcal infection is transmitted from person to person via respiratory droplets — through coughing or sneezing, as well as through contact with the respiratory secretions of an infected person. Infection can occur from both a sick person and a carrier of the bacteria without symptoms of the disease.

Udre noted that vaccination against meningococcal infection is possible; however, it is not included in the vaccination schedule for children in Latvia.

At the same time, vaccination is recommended for people of any age at increased risk of invasive meningococcal infection. Personal hygiene plays an important role, including regular hand washing and avoiding the sharing of items that come into contact with saliva. To reduce the spread of infection, close contact with sick individuals should be limited.

Public health measures are also important — timely identification of the disease, information dissemination, and outbreak control. Strengthening overall health through balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and physical activity is also of additional significance.

Last year, nine cases of invasive meningococcal infection were registered in Latvia — five more than in 2024.

According to the BBC, an outbreak of meningitis has been recorded in Kent County, England, resulting in the deaths of two people. Experts from the UK Health Security Agency noted that the outbreak is "explosive in nature," with one expert stating that it is the fastest-spreading outbreak he has seen in his career. The UK Health Secretary described the situation as unprecedented.