This Month in Medicine – March 2026
Earlier this month the infamous meningitis outbreak began in Kent. The UKHSA, who has been investigating the outbreak, has confirmed through genetic analysis that the group B meningococcal strain is the culprit behind this. The scientific name for the bacterium is Neisseria meningitidis. It is commensal, meaning it can exist in the human body without causing infection until there is a change in conditions which triggers it to do so. In the case of meningitis, the bacteria will reside in a dormant state at the top of your throat. Meningitis only occurs when the bacteria enter the bloodstream and cross the blood-brain barrier to infect the meninges - membranes which surround your brain and spinal cord. Consequently, having a stiff neck, sensitivity to light and headaches are notorious symptoms of meningitis. The signature meningitis rash is caused when chemicals released by the bacteria damage the blood vessels, causing blood to leak out into nearby tissue. The majority of the cases in Kent have been in students from the University of Kent and sixth form students surrounding the area. This is believed to be because of frequent close contact such as kissing and sharing vapes. Meningitis is tested for by a spinal tap, where doctors take a sample of your cerebrospinal fluid and analyse it. So far a 21-year-old university student and an 18-year-old school pupil have unfortunately passed away, giving a “wake up call” to health authorities. The UKHSA are currently offering Kent students both a vaccine and a preventative antibiotic treatment. The outbreak seems to be improving; on the 22nd of March, the Guardian published an article writing that the total number of cases (both suspected and confirmed) was now “at 29, down from 34 reported on Saturday”.
After experiencing its busiest winter on record resulting in appallingly long waiting hours in A&E, the NHS set out an official definition of corridor care on the 4th of March, enabling hospitals to record instances of corridor care. The definition includes a set of criteria, such as “Can dignity be maintained including access to food, water, toilets?” and “Has the trust’s Infection Prevention and Control team confirmed appropriateness of the space being occupied?”. Only two days prior on March 2nd did the BBC publish an article highlighting the severity of long waiting hours in A&E. The BBC investigation revealed that “52,000 patients waited longer than 24 hours to be admitted to hospitals across north-west England last year”. The fact that there is now a criteria that all NHS hospitals will use to be able to report corridor care indicates that the NHS is now actively trying to reverse the long waiting hours. In addition to this, on the same day as the definition was set, the NHS outlined a plan to prevent corridor care. Policies for this involved campaigns to increase awareness on ED alternatives (e.g. calling 111) and setting further expectations for senior clinicians to make decisions faster, thereby delegating the workload to more senior roles to reduce the pressure on other hospital staff such as nurses.
On March 11th, NICE approved a new non-hormonal treatment for hot flushes and night sweats caused by menopause. The drug is called Fezolinetant and can be used when hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is not a suitable treatment - for instance, patients with a history of hormone-dependent cancers like ovarian cancer. Fezolinetant instead targets the nerve pathways and is a receptor antagonist. Receptor antagonists work by blocking receptors which act as sensors in the body, activating when the correct chemical “sticks” to it. In the case of Fezolinetant, it blocks the receptor responsible for triggering night sweats and hot flashes. The NHS are now prescribing the treatment to patients, with NICE reporting that 500,000 patients are currently eligible to benefit from the new treatment.
This year, the US placed a fuel blockade on Cuba and tariffs on imports into the US from countries who supply oil to Cuba. This has caused an economic crisis and has been detrimental Cuban healthcare. With lack of fuel, hospitals lack a source of reliable electricity, disrupting patient care and delaying procedures which have been deemed non-urgent. Medicine supplies are also decreasing. In particular, antibiotics and common hospital drugs. This has resulted in more individuals turning to the black market to access treatments. Not only does this increase inequality as only those with money are able to obtain these treatments, but prices for these drugs sharply increase as well. Although Cuba has been able to independently create their own drugs, e.g. the vaccine QuimiVio, they are finding it increasingly difficult to produce these drugs. This is due to limited access to the necessary materials to manufacture these. Consequently, Cuba now has a declining vaccination coverage. The Cuban embassy in the UK estimates that 30,000 children are missing vaccines, a stark contrast to the 98% vaccination coverage reported by UNICEF in 2024.
This month in medicine has been noticeably eventful with quite a few significant articles being published to websites such as the BMJ and the Lancet. The NHS’ new efforts to put a stop to corridor care is very heartening following months of staff and patients suffering from it. We may also be thankful that the meningitis outbreak appears to be under control. Even so, do refrain from kissing others as you never know what’s living in their nasopharynx! The new drug available as a treatment to menopause is a hopeful sign that women’s health is finally being more researched and the day-to-day wellbeing of females will be improving. Hopefully conditions will miraculously improve for Cuba - not just in medicine, but in all aspects.
