WATCH | Health minister confirms British tourist tested negative for meningitis B

British national who travelled to Malta with symptoms has tested negative for meningitis B, Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela has confirmed.

"This person of British nationality who came to Malta had the tests done at Mater Dei Hospital and the result showed she does not have the type of meningitis B that there has been an outbreak of in England," Abela told MaltaToday in a comment on Thursday afternoon.

In recent days, an outbreak of meningitis B has been recorded in the Kent region of England, near London.

Meningitis is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis and spreads through close contact, such as sharing drinks, utensils, or cigarettes. It can quickly worsen from flu-like symptoms to a severe, life-threatening condition within hours. The case-fatality rate ranges from 8% to 15%.

He added that the Superintendent of Public Health was informed of the outbreak and subsequently alerted all practising doctors to be more aware, though Abela noted that diagnosing meningitis is standard medical practice. "It is the bread and butter of medicine," he said. "We as doctors are always aware that this condition exists."

Abela added that Malta's vaccination programme offered further reassurance.

Since 2020, the MenB and MenACWY vaccines have been offered free of charge to children in Malta and Gozo, with uptake described as very good. "We will continue to be vigilant," the minister said, "but there is absolutely no need for alarm."

According to the Health Ministry, the recorded number of meningitis cases in Malta has remained low: eight in 2014, one in 2023, five in 2025, and none so far in 2026.