A meningitis outbreak in Kent has resulted in the deaths of two young people, including an 18-year-old sixth form pupil at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Faversham and a 21-year-old student at the University of Kent.
The University of Kent has confirmed that one of its students has died, while 11 others were taken to hospital. Hundreds of students have received precautionary antibiotics, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The outbreak is thought to be linked to a nightclub event in Canterbury, with the UKHSA urging anyone who visited Club Chemistry on March 5, 6, or 7 to come forward for preventative antibiotic treatment as a precautionary measure.
Police and Health Response
The UKHSA has worked with the University of Kent to provide advice letters to all 16,000 students, advising on recent cases, signs and symptoms, how to obtain antibiotics, and what to do if they feel unwell. The university has cancelled all scheduled assessments for the next few days.
Antiobiotics will also be available from 08:30 at the Gate Clinic at Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Westgate Hall in Canterbury, and the Carey Building at Thanet Hub in Westwood. The university said it would resume providing antibiotics at 09:00 GMT on Tuesday.
Investigation and Precautions
Trish Mannes, UKHSA regional deputy director for the South East, urged people to be aware of symptoms and to act fast. The specific strain of meningitis connected to the outbreak has not yet been identified.
Meningitis can be spread to others in spit or saliva through coughs and sneezes, kissing, and sharing utensils. Two vaccines protect against the main causes of meningitis and septicaemia, including the MenACWY vaccine and the MenB vaccine.
According to the BBC, the UKHSA has been notified of a cluster of cases late on Saturday and acted immediately, with communication to those at risk taking place on Saturday evening and Sunday.
