Since 2010, the Oxford-developed open access, curated database PubMLST, has supported the genomic characterisation of all meningococci isolated from cases of meningococcal disease in the UK. This database was crucial in the characterisation of the recent group B invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) outbreak strain, putting it in a local, national, and global context within minutes of the data becoming available.
The use of PubMLST highlights the importance of genomic infrastructure and shared nomenclatures in supporting rapid, standardised analysis of pathogens across different countries and laboratories, which is essential for effective public health surveillance.
In mid-March 2026 in Kent, South-East England, an unusually large outbreak of Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) occurred, with 21 cases and two deaths. This triggered a rapid large-scale, public health response, which was supported by academic partners including several in Oxford. In a new study in Eurosurveillance, the multidisciplinary team led by the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) described the epidemiology and preliminary microbiological findings of the outbreak investigation and the public health measures taken to prevent onward transmission.
As is usual, isolates from confirmed cases were sent to the national Meningococcal Reference Unit for PCR testing and Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B was confirmed. Analysis of the genomes of these isolates using PubMLST, an open-access genomic database developed at the University of Oxford, identified the strain as sequence type 485 (ST-485) within clonal complex 41/44 (cc41/44). By enabling comparison with thousands of previously characterised isolates worldwide, the platform placed the outbreak cases into the local, national, and global epidemiological context.
Professor Martin Maiden, Head of Department of Biology at the University of Oxford and co-author on the study said
“The value of resources like PubMLST lies in their continuity and scale. Individual studies provide important snapshots, but it is only by comparing data collected over many years and across multiple countries that we can fully understand the dynamics of difficult to predict pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis (the meningococcus).”
The number of cases in this outbreak was very unusual and, along with the frequently seen rapid progress of this infection, this ensured national and international media coverage. This outbreak affected young adults, many of whom were university students and almost all of whom had attended a particular night club over 3 days. This is consistent with known risk factors for meningococcal carriage in this age group, which can lead to IMD outbreaks.
Despite the rapid and unexpected nature of this incident, the public health response was fast, coordinated, multi-sectorial, and built on learning from many years of experience with meningococcal disease. This outbreak illustrates the importance of a functioning and effective public health system that works closely with healthcare system partners.
To find out more information read the Eurosirveillance study ‘Large outbreak of group B invasive meningococcal disease in young adults in South East England, March 2026’ here.
The open access PubMLST public database for molecular typing and microbial genome diversity can be found here.
