article_snippet: There were just 22 cases of meningitis W meningitis W in 2009, but this shot up to 117 last year, according to Public Health England (file image)
article_snippet: There were just 22 cases of meningitis W in 2009, but this shot up to 117 last year, according to Public Health England.
article_snippet: While the rise was initially seen in adults, the rise has now extended to all age groups and, for the first time in a decade, young children have died as a result of MenW. There has also been a rise in cases among students.
article_snippet: Campaigners said the Government’s delay in introducing a vaccine against meningitis B – the last major strain of the disease’s spread – may have hindered the fight.
article_snippet: Statistics show one baby dies every month in Britain from meningitis B and charities claim dozens of lives have needlessly been lost to the disease’s spread because of procrastination by officials.
article_snippet: However, it will take more than a year for this protection to filter through to toddlers and infants, and in the meantime under-fives will still be dying and disabled as a result of MenW.’
highlights_snippet: There were 117 cases of meningitis W in 2014 compared to 22 in 2009 .
  
highlights_snippet: For the first time some young children have died as a result of MenW . 