Nearly 50 teens across the region who were in contact with the pair have been offered emergency antibiotics as a precaution in what has been described a “parents’ worst nightmare”.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has launched an investigation and confirmed the two teens with meningitis B are currently receiving treatment in hospital where they are recovering well.
UKHSA stated that the two teens with meningitis B – from Framlingham – are currently receiving treatment in hospital where they are recovering well.
Parents of one of the contacted teens said their son had attended the Boardmasters festival in Cornwall in early August with friends. However, officials have stressed there is no evidence of an outbreak linked to the event.
The teenager had attended Boardmasters in the summer but no official outbreak has been linked with the event.
One parent said: “This is every parents’ worst nightmare.
“You send your teenager off for a festival and worry about them anyway. But for them to come back and have this happen is awful.
“All our thoughts and prayers are with the youngsters impacted and their families – let’s hope they make a full and speedy recovery.”
UKHSA state they have been undertaking extensive contact-tracing to identify close contacts of the teenagers.
As a precautionary measure, those identified have been offered antibiotics and given information on the signs and symptoms of meningitis B to look out for.
“The system is brilliant – to have tracked those down who are at risk is extraordinary and could save lives.” The parent added.
The risk to the wider public is said to remain low.
Dr Smita Kapadia, consultant in communicable disease control at UKHSA (Image: Ian Coulson-Thorpe/YouTube)
Dr Smita Kapadia, consultant in communicable disease control at UKHSA, said: “We continue to work closely with partners to identify close contacts of the cases and offer treatment and advice.
“It is really important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of this disease as prompt treatment is the key to prevent the infection getting worse and spreading to others.
“Anyone can get meningitis, and around 300 to 400 cases of meningococcal disease are diagnosed in England every year. It’s most common in babies, young children, teenagers, and young adults.”
What is meningitis B?
Meningitis B is a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection that can cause inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord, and can rapidly lead to blood poisoning.
It is a different strain to meningitis A which is more common across Africa unlike meningitis B which is more prevalent in the UK.
Early symptoms – such as vomiting, fever, aches, muscle pain, cold hands and feet and headaches – can look similar to common illnesses like colds or flu.
But someone with meningitis or septicaemia will usually become seriously ill in a matter of hours. That’s why it’s crucial to keep checking on anyone who is unwell.
Early recognition of meningitis symptoms can greatly improve the outcome of the disease, and so anyone concerned about any of these symptoms, at any time, should contact their GP, call NHS 111 or 999 in an emergency.
How does this compare to the meningitis outbreak in Kent?
The Kent meningitis outbreak was a cluster of infections linked to Canterbury in March 2026, with 21 confirmed cases and two deaths, many involving university-age young people.
Health officials described the speed of transmission as highly unusual, triggering a major public health response including antibiotic treatment, vaccination and contact tracing.