Health chiefs say they have never seen such a rapid spread of cases of meningitis, blaming a “super-spreader” event for the surge in numbers.
Susan Hopkins, chief executive of the the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said it was the highest number of cases she had seen in one weekend with this type of infection.
England’s deputy chief medical officer Dr Thomas Waite said: “This is by far the quickest-growing outbreak I’ve ever seen in my career.”
Five schools in Kent have had meningitis cases, and one patient who travelled to London is now in hospital there, the Department for Health and Social Care said.
Some 15 cases of meningitis have been recorded, including two people who died. Others were being treated in hospital.
The number of cases is expected to rise because the incubation period - between infection and when symptoms appear - is two to 14 days.
Pharmacists are warning of a surge in demand for the MenB vaccine. The UKHSA has announced a targeted vaccination programme for students at the University of Kent in Canterbury, and 700 doses of antibiotics have been given out.
The strain in some cases was confirmed as Meningitis B.
Key Points
- Super-spreader event causing explosive toll of infections, says health chief
- Meningitis linked to fifth school in Kent
- Streeting says outbreak of meningitis is 'unprecedented'
- Health agency to launch 'targeted' vaccination programme for students
- 15 cases of meningitis notified to UKHSA
- Meningitis B confirmed as strain behind outbreak that has left two dead
Watch: Streeting warns of 'returning to Victorian conditions'
03:30 , Jane DaltonPharmacists urge NHS to offer catch-up jabs
02:15 , Jane DaltonThe National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has urged the NHS to commission pharmacies to provide a catch-up service for teenagers who missed their menACWY vaccine, which protects against four strains of meningococcal bacteria, and called for reforms to the childhood vaccination programme.
NPA chairman Olivier Picard said: "Some pharmacies are already seeing an uptick in patients contacting them to book menACWY and menB vaccinations and we anticipate this demand will continue to grow."
The symptoms of meningitis
01:00 , Jane DaltonMeningitis is an infection of the meninges, the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
Early warning signs of meningitis include a high temperature, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain and stomach cramps.
As the condition develops, it can make people drowsy, irritable and confused, as well as cause severe muscle pain, pale, blotchy skin, spots or a rash, stiff neck, an aversion to bright lights and convulsions or seizures.
Meningitis Now urges people not to wait until someone develops a rash and to seek medical help if someone is ill and displaying these symptoms.
Watch: Meningitis B expert answers your questions
23:59 , Jane Dalton
Meningitis B expert answers your questions as Kent outbreak leaves two dead
Experts sequence genome strain
23:00 , Jane DaltonThe genome of the menB strain identified in the outbreak is undergoing whole genome sequencing to see if there are any differences from known strains.
It will also be tested against available menB vaccines, though experts stressed people should get a jab if eligible.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said most students would not already be vaccinated against menB, but that the jabs would begin in the next few days.
He said the menB vaccine had been available on the NHS since 2015 as part of routine childhood immunisations, "but clearly most students would not be vaccinated".
🆕 It's been confirmed that some of the meningitis cases linked to Club Chemistry in Canterbury, Kent are MenB. pic.twitter.com/BWJK8uXqab
— UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) March 17, 2026
Tally of infections expected to rise
21:59 , Jane DaltonThe number of cases of meningitis is expected to rise because the incubation period - between infection and when symptoms appear - is two to 14 days.
The outbreak is being viewed by experts as unprecedented owing to the high number of cases appearing in such a short space of time.
Around 5,000 students in university halls in Kent are to be offered the meningitis B vaccine in coming days. The aim is to prevent further disease in several weeks' time by people harbouring the infection.
Teenager killed by meningitis 'genuinely caring'
20:56 , Jane DaltonThe father of an 18-year-old girl killed by a meningitis outbreak in Kent has said that their family are "beyond devastated and they have no words to express their loss".
Juliette, who was a sixth form pupil at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Faversham, died on Saturday from the infection.
Her head teacher, Amelia McIlroy, said she was "a genuinely caring and attentive listener, a true friend who listened with warmth, respect and sincere interest to her peers and to our staff".
"In short, she was a lovely girl," she added.
Fastest-growing outbreak I've ever seen, says medical chief
20:32 , Jane DaltonEngland’s deputy chief medical officer Dr Thomas Waite said: “This is by far the quickest-growing outbreak I’ve ever seen in my career, and I think probably any of us have seen of meningitis for a very long time.
“Whilst it remains an outbreak that is having its consequences in Kent, it is obviously of national significance.”
Super-spreader event causing explosive toll of infections, says health chief
20:30 , Jane DaltonUKHSA chief executive Susan Hopkins said: “This looks like a super-spreader event, with ongoing spread within the halls of residents in the universities.
“There will have been some parties particularly around this, so there will have been lots of social mixing.
“I can’t yet say where the initial infection came from, how it’s got into this cohort, and why it’s created such an explosive amount of infections.”
She said that in her 35 years of working in medicine, in healthcare and hospitals, it was the highest number of cases she had seen in a single weekend with this type of infection.
“It’s the explosive nature that is unprecedented here.
“The number of cases in such a short space of time.
“NHS were initially managing it as a major incident in the region but they have now increased that overlay to having a national-level oversight as well.”
'Super-spreader' event blamed for infections
19:55 , Jane DaltonExperts say they are dealing with a "super-spreader" event and that many of those affected attended Club Chemistry in Canterbury over 5-7 March.
The infection has also spread through the halls of residence at the university and parties attended by students.
The UKHSA said all 15 cases had required hospital admission, four of them confirmed to have menB.
Mapped: Meningitis B vaccination rates in your area revealed as demand for jab surges
19:00 , Harriette Boucher
Mapped: Meningitis B vaccination rates in your area as demand for jab surges
Badenoch describes meningitis outbreak as 'really, really troubling'
18:45 , Harriette BoucherKemi Badenoch has called the meningitis outbreak in Kent “really, really troubling”.
The Conservative leader told BBC South East that her “heart goes out” to the families of those people who have lost their lives.
She said when she was studying at university, a student died from meningitis, which came as “a huge shock”, so she thinks the outbreak must be “deeply tragic and disturbing for so many of the people that are affected.
“My plea is for people to check themselves as soon as they have the slightest symptoms and also for everyone to make sure they are up to date on their vaccinations.”
What is meningitis B? Symptoms, vaccine and what to avoid after two die in Kent
18:15 , Harriette BoucherRebecca Whittaker & Tara Cobham report:
Two people have died following an outbreak of invasive meningitis in Kent, as hundreds of people are being urged to get antibiotics to stop the spread of the infection.
Some of the cases have been confirmed as meningitis B. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which is investigating the outbreak, said it would confirm the strain seen in other cases “when we have the full results”.
The majority of young people born before 2015 are not protected against meningitis B, also known as menB, unless they have had the jab privately, with it only introduced on the NHS for babies in 2015.
Hundreds of people who visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury on 5, 6 or 7 March have been told to come forward for preventative antibiotic treatment as a “precautionary measure”.
People are being advised to be vigilant for symptoms amid a warning that university students are particularly susceptible to the deadly infection.
What is meningitis B? Symptoms, vaccine and what to avoid after two die in Kent
Pharmacies see surge in vaccine requests for menB
18:00 , Holly EvansA number of pharmacies offer the menB vaccine, including Superdrug, where it is available for children from the age of two months and adults aged up to 50.
A course of two to three doses is recommended, priced at £110 per dose.
A spokesperson for Superdrug told PA: “At Superdrug, bookings at our nurse clinics for our meningitis service this week have surged to 65 times the level seen last week.”
At Boots, the vaccination service is for adults and children aged two and over costing £220 for two doses.
At Well Pharmacy, the vaccine is available for children from the age of two months and adults aged up to 50.
The course includes two to three doses, depending on age, at £110 each.
Asda also launched a meningitis vaccine service last year, with a full menB course available for £179.76.
Appointment availability varies across the country as of 11.30 on March 17.
There were appointments available at Boots in major cities including London, but there are none currently available at the Boots store in Canterbury.
What should you do if a friend shows symptoms?
17:35 , Holly EvansIf you notice a friend exhibiting any concerning signs – especially rapid worsening over hours – take them seriously. Public health advice is clear: if symptoms are worrying or escalating, seek medical help immediately. In the UK, that means contacting NHS 111 for advice, or calling 999 if they are seriously unwell.
Check on your friend regularly, don’t dismiss symptoms as “just a hangover” and err on the side of urgency when in doubt. Early treatment with antibiotics can be lifesaving.
Why meningitis outbreaks happen at universities
17:15 , Holly EvansMeningococcal disease is caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. Although many people can carry the bacteria harmlessly in their nose or throat, very occasionally it invades the bloodstream or central nervous system and causes life-threatening illness. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord.
Meningococcal disease spreads through close contact with respiratory droplets. This could be through kissing, sharing drinks or utensils, and coughing and sneezing. This is what makes the risk higher in settings where people live, study and socialise closely together, such as university campuses.
Outbreaks such as the recent one in Kent, especially in communal settings like universities or schools, are less common than individual sporadic cases. While the overall risk remains low, the proportion of cases among young adults and students is higher than in older age groups simply because of the social mixing and living arrangements typical of school and university life.
How students in the UK can reduce their risk
16:50 , Holly Evans
Kent meningitis outbreak: How students in the UK can reduce their risk
Covid masks and an eerily silent campus: Inside Kent’s ‘worrying’ meningitis B outbreak
16:42 , Harriette BoucherDan Haygarth reports from Canterbury:
As students formed a queue outside the University of Kent’s Senate building, an eerie silence filled the campus.
After two people – a student at the university in Canterbury and a year 13 pupil called Juliette from Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Faversham – died and 13 more have been hospitalised following an outbreak of meningitis in Kent, precautionary antibiotics were being handed out for a second day.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed on Tuesday that the strain of meningitis B, known as MenB, is behind at least four of the cases in the outbreak. The university called the situation “very sad and worrying”.
By 9am, dozens of students were waiting to collect the medicine and the mood in the queue was an anxious one.
Those waiting stood well apart and wore face masks not seen en masse since the Covid pandemic. Those without masks fashioned face coverings with scarves and jumpers. Few were talking.
It is exam season at the university but assessments have been moved online since the outbreak. The student union’s St Patrick’s Day party had also been cancelled, so the only real footfall on campus was those collecting their antibiotics.
Among them was Harvey Bennett, a 21-year-old cell biology master’s student from Deal.
About the feeling on campus, he told The Independent: “There’s a little bit of tension, I guess, because obviously we haven't had anything happen like this before.
“I thought I'd come down here today, it's better to be safe than sorry.”
Covid masks and a silent campus: Inside Kent’s ‘worrying’ meningitis B outbreak
Meningitis linked to fifth school in Kent
16:36 , Harriette BoucherDane Court Grammar School has said the student believed to have meningitis is not a confirmed case, but is under investigation.
In a letter to parents earlier on Tuesday, the school said the pupil had “tested positive for meningitis”.
But in a new statement on Tuesday afternoon, the school said: “Further to the letter that we shared with parents this morning, we have now been made aware that the student is not a confirmed case of meningitis, they remain under investigation and we will update you if we receive further information.”
Are there vaccines for meningitis?
16:30 , Holly EvansThere are vaccines available to prevent some types of meningitis, which are available as part of the UK routine immunisation schedule.
Vaccines include the MenB, 6-in-1, pneumococcal and MMRV vaccines for babies and children, while the MenACWY jabs are offered to teenagers, sixth-form students and new university students.
The MenB vaccine is offered to babies at two, three and 12 months.
Men W disease has historically been rare in the UK, but from 2009, cases of MenW began to increase year on year. From autumn 2015, a MenACWY vaccine replaced the MenC vaccine for children in school and is offered at around 14 years of age.
Any young person who has missed this vaccine at school remains eligible to receive it up to the age of 25. This is especially important for new university entrants, for whom the risk of contracting meningococcal disease increases.
Dane Court Grammar School is fifth Kent school to confirm a case of meningitis
16:29 , Harriette Boucher
Meningitis case confirmed at fifth school in Kent
16:22 , Harriette BoucherA school in Kent has become the fifth school in the county to confirm a case of meningitis.
Dane Court Grammar School in Broadstairs sent a letter to parents on Tuesday to say a year 13 student had tested positive.
Martin Jones, the school's headteacher, said: “Dear parent/carer, we would like to inform you that a Year 13 student has tested positive for meningitis.
“This letter provides details of what to do if you're concerned about your child's health. It provides particular information for any students who attended Club Chemistry in Canterbury during the weekend of 5-7 March.
“We are awaiting specific advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
“The school is fully open and functioning as normal.”
'Business as usual' for school with one meningitis case
16:20 , Harriette BoucherThe headteacher of a school in Ashford where one case of meningitis has been confirmed said it has been ‘pretty much business as usual’.
Speaking outside the school gates as pupils finished for the day, Ben Greene, the headteacher of Norton Knatchbull School, said: “As I've communicated again to parents today, we're aware of one known case, we're not aware of any other suspected cases.
“As you would have seen, it's pretty much business as usual, which is what we've been guided to do.”
Mother Joanna Crouch, who was waiting to pick up her son in year 7, said she was “apprehensive” about letting him go to school.
”To be honest I was apprehensive about sending him in with my heart, but I do have faith in what the public health people are saying and they are saying it's best to send them into school.
“I understand schools are being cleaned more, disinfected even more than normal which is reassuring.
“There must come to a point if it does escalate there is that possibility of closing the school, they must have a cut off.”
Mapped: Meningitis B vaccination rates in your area revealed
16:15 , Holly EvansVaccination coverage against the main causes of meningitis varies significantly across England, analysis of government data reveals – as health bosses call on parents to ensure their children are fully up to date in the wake of two deaths in Kent.
Questions have been raised over the vaccination of young people after the outbreak of cases in the Canterbury area.
An 18-year-old pupil called Juliette and a 21-year-old university student have died, while another 11 people are in hospital, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which has confirmed that the strain of meningitis B (menB) is behind the outbreak.
Read the full article here:
Mapped: Meningitis B vaccination rates in your area as demand for jab surges
Streeting says he believes outbreak is containable
15:54 , Holly EvansHealth Secretary Wes Streeting told broadcasters he believed the outbreak was containable.
He said measures such as contact tracing, antibiotic distribution, a vaccination campaign and “the wider public health messaging” that is going out “give me absolute confidence that this is containable, but we’ll be working proactively and around the clock to make sure that we contain this as best we possibly can”.
No exams cancelled but some assessments postponed, university says
15:42 , Holly EvansSome practical assessments have been postponed to next term following the meningitis outbreak, but no exams have been cancelled, a University of Kent spokesperson confirmed.
A University of Kent spokesperson said: “I can confirm no exams have been cancelled. Biology rescheduled exams planned for Monday and they will take place later in the week. Some practical assessments have been postponed to next term.”
The university had previously confirmed there would be no in-person assessment this week, with schools getting in touch with students to provide details on alternative arrangements.
Mother of hospitalised 21-year-old woman fears disease caught through vaping
15:18 , Holly EvansThe mother of a 21-year-old woman who has been hospitalised with meningitis has said she fears her daughter caught the disease through sharing vapes.
Keeleigh Goodwin, 21, became ill on Saturday with her flatmate calling 999 for her to be rushed to hospital.
Her mother Khali told Sky News that without her friend calling an ambulance, she likely would have died.
She is expected to recover but is due to remain in hospital for at least a week.
Keeleigh had attended the Club Chemistry venue on Thursday evening and while it is unknown how she contracted the illness, her mother fears it may have come through sharing a vape.
Fourth school in Kent confirms link to outbreak
14:32 , Holly EvansA fourth school in Kent has confirmed a pupil has been diagnosed with suspected meningitis.
Highworth Grammar School said in a statement: "We are sad to report we have a Year 13 student who has been admitted to hospital with a suspected case of meningitis.
"Our thoughts are with them and their family who, at this stage, are waiting for a confirmed diagnosis.
"We are supporting all our students regarding this update, taking specific precautionary measures on hygiene and sharing key information regularly with the school community.
"We are in contact with the UK Health Security Agency and will be monitoring the health and wellbeing of all our students very carefully.
"We also extend our deepest sympathy to everyone who has been affected by the tragic loss of two students in our local area."
Club owner claims UKHSA warned them of outbreak over Instagram
14:13 , Rebecca WhittakerA club owner said health officials used Instagram to inform the nightclub at the centre of the deadly meningitis outbreak about a confirmed case.
Louise Jones-Roberts, the owner of Club Chemistry in Canterbury, said the message came from an unverified individual account, rather than directly from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
She told The Telegraph the message warned a case was confirmed involving a guest at the club and that staff needed to contact the agency “urgently”.
Pharmacists warn of 'unprecedented levels' of requests for meningitis vaccinations
14:09 , Rebecca WhittakerPharmacy leaders have warned of shortages of MenB vaccinations following the outbreak of meningitis in Canterbury.
Oliver Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association said: “Pharmacies are getting unprecedented levels of requests for meningitis vaccinations and many are unable to order in supplies from wholesalers.
“We understand many patients, including parents with older teenagers, will be concerned by this situation and will be keen to vaccinate themselves or their loved ones.
“However, pharmacies are having to manage constrained levels of supply and many have told us they cannot order in new stock.
“We urge patients to be courteous and understanding towards their pharmacy teams, who are doing their best to manage very constrained stock levels, on top of managing a busy pharmacy.”
Streeting warns against buying private MenB vaccines amid price gouging allegations
14:04 , Rebecca ThomasAs pharmacy leaders have warned of shortages of MenB vaccinations following the outbreak of meningitis in Canterbury, health secretary Wes Streeting has advised the public not to seek private jabs.
When asked about online reports of pharmacies allegedly price-gouging vaccines and offering them for “several hundred pounds”, Mr Streeting said health authorities were not advising people to buy vaccines privately.
“To price gouge or to profiteer in this situation would be totally immoral or irresponsible to do…in general, the advise were giving to the public we’re not advising people to pay for a vaccine. If it is decided that a vaccine is needed, it will be offered on the NHS.
Comment: After a deadly outbreak of meningitis B, who wouldn’t vaccinate their kids?
14:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
After a deadly outbreak of meningitis B, who wouldn’t vaccinate their kids?
Sharing vapes and drinks can spread meningitis
13:48 , Rebecca WhittakerSharing vapes and beers with friends is a know risk factor for spreading meningitis, experts warn.
Prof Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, The Norwich School of Medicine, University of East Anglia, said: “Smoking is a known risk factor invasive meningococcal disease; however, I can find no evidence that vapes have been linked to invasive meningococcal disease before.
“Sharing things you put in your mouth like sharing a bottle of beer with a friend is a known risk for transmission, so it is completely logical that sharing vapes could be a risk factor for transmission.”
Claims official acted too slow 'unfounded', UKHSA says
13:41 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Kent, Surrey and Sussex Health Security Agency office said criticism of them acting too slow to the meningitis outbreak was “unfounded”.
“There was a full scale response at the weekend,” a spokesperson for the regional UK Health Security Agency said.
'We are not advising school closures', Health Secretary said
13:37 , Rebecca WhittakerSixth form students and school pupils in Canterbury should continue to attend schools, Wes Streeting has said, after the MP for the area raised concerns about inconsistent communications.
Rosie Duffield, the Independent MP for Canterbury, said: “Worried parents and vulnerable students are telling me that communications from their education settings are not consistently clear, however, with one school having closed to year 13. What’s his message about attendance in person?”
She also said people with “mild colds and coughs” were “overwhelming” vaccine hubs in the area, according to medics.
Mr Streeting said: “We are not advising school closures, and I think it’s important that we once again just underscore the nature of the transmission of this disease, which is close personal contact, kissing, sharing vapes, which I’m concerned about in the context of young people, sharing drinks, and obviously if people live in a household together.”
He added: “Students at schools who’ve had close contact, those at Club Chemistry, they can attend the sites for antibiotics. This was the message that went out to all Kent schools this morning, so hopefully there will be a flow and accuracy of information going to schools.”
Watch: Targeted vaccine programme launched after Meningitis B outbreak in Kent
13:30 , Rebecca WhittakerFrench health authorities alert UK to meningitis case linked to university
13:22 , Rebecca ThomasWes Streeting, is “confident” UK health authorities acted quickly and comprehensively as possible to the Meningitis outbreak in Canterbury as he revealed a case linked to the University of Kent was identified in France.
The first meningitis case in Kent was identified on Friday, 13 March. The health secretary revealed on Saturday that French health authorities had alerted the UK Health Security Agency to a second confirmed case of the disease identified in France from an individual who attended the University of Kent.
He said both this case and the case identified on Friday, lived in private accommodation and there were no apparent links.
The University of Kent currently runs an exchange programme with French universities. However, on Saturday, further cases were identified by the local hospital near Canterbury.
11,000 doses of antibiotics available at four treatment centres
13:15 , Holly EvansThe Health Secretary said 11,000 doses are available at the four treatment centres in Canterbury. No appointment is needed.
“A single course of antibiotics is highly effective in preventing the contraction and spread of this disease in 90% of cases,” Mr Streeting said.
“If you become worried about yourself, your child or a friend particularly if symptoms are getting worse, please seek urgent medical help.”
Response from UKHSA will be 'reviewed', Streeting says
13:13 , Holly EvansWes Streeting has said that the response from the UK Health Security Agency will be reviewed “at every point” once the meningitis outbreak is over.
“Inevitably, there are always things that we can learn and seek to do better," he said.
He said that officials were seeking to create a “balance” between being informative and spreading unnecessary anxiety.
Kissing and sharing vapes can spread meningitis
13:06 , Holly EvansThe health secretary has warned that “prolonged kissing or sharing vapes and drinks” can spread the outbreak of meningitis.
He said that while it does not spread easily, the bacteria can be passed along through close contact.
Wes Streeting said that symptoms can be “easily mistaken for common conditions” and urged anyone who had attended the Club Chemistry between 5-7 March to attend a treatment centre and get antibiotics.
Watch: Targeted vaccine programme launched after Meningitis B outbreak in Kent
13:03 , Holly EvansHealth agency to launch 'targeted' vaccination programme for students
12:57 , Holly EvansThe UKHSA have announced that they will be launching a targeted vaccination programme for students who live at Canterbury halls of residence at the University of Kent.
This “may expand further” as the health agency continues to monitor risks.
So far, 700 doses of antibiotics have been delivered to students and anyone who has been in contact with those who have been diagnosed with the disease.
The Health Secretary said most students would not already be vaccinated, and the jabs will begin in the next few days.
Mr Streeting told MPs: “From 2015 the menB vaccine has been available on the NHS as part of routine childhood immunisations, but clearly mostly students would not be vaccinated.
“Given the severity of the situation, I can confirm to the House that we will begin a targeted vaccination programme for students living in halls of residence at the University of Kent in Canterbury, which will begin in the coming days.”
‘It's probably the worst time it could have happened’
12:24 , Holly EvansAnother student heading into the Senate building to collect his antibiotics was first year military history undergraduate Matthew McKeague, 18, who travels to university from Hythe.
About picking up the medicine, he said: "I'm a commuter, so it arguably seems more important, so I don't risk spreading the infection outside of Canterbury.”
Asked about the mood among students, he said: “There is obviously a sense of worry. There's no great time for it to happen, but with exams, essays, and everything being done, it's probably the worst time it could have happened.
“The only silver lining is that a lot of the students who live on campus, because it is approaching half term, have gone home. So there are less people around in that sense.”
Student at Chemistry nightclub says it was 'completely dead inside'
11:56 , Holly EvansA student from Canterbury Academy, who did not want to be named, received antibiotics today from Westgate Hall in the city as she was at Club Chemistry on Friday March 6.
Describing the atmosphere in the nightclub that evening, she said: “It was completely dead inside. The third floor wasn’t even open, and it normally is on a Friday.”
An art student from the University of Creative Arts (UCA), who did not wish to be named, said: “The university said that any absences will be considered authorised and the general advice has been ‘do whatever you think is best’.
“It’s really scary because all of the universities mix together and there are so many rumours flying around WhatsApp.”
University student says outbreak has caused 'anxiety'
11:34 , Dan HaygarthA third year University of Kent student told The Independent that he is leaving the campus to return home amid the meningitis outbreak.
Sport therapy and rehabilitation student Malek, 24, who did not wish to give his surname, had just collected his antibiotics and has decided to return home to Hertfordshire.
He said: “I just decided to go grab it [the medicine] because the majority of my friends who went to grab it, they just got it just to be cautious and make sure we don't have anything.
“Both of my parents are at high risk and I'm planning to go back home, so I went to grab it just in case - it's better to be safe than sorry.”
“I'm not going to stay any longer, so I'm just gonna go back home and then see what's happening for the next week.”
About the mood among students at the university, Malek said: “It's stressful, very anxious, I mean, especially with moving all the exams online, we don't know what to expect, how's it going to be running, etc.
“It’s a flashback back to covid, so hopefully everything will be solved and calmed down. He added: “There’s absolutely anxiety [about the outbreak]. As I said, both of my parents are high risk and I don't want to catch anything.”
Immunologist says strain circulation is most likely cause of outbreak
10:04 , Holly EvansSpeaking on BBC Radio 4, immunologist Sir Andrew Pollard was asked what was the most likely cause of such an outbreak in Kent.
He said: “The most likely explanation for a large outbreak is that there is a strain circulation in which many people present were not immune to it or hadn’t built up enough immunity, and that is common.
“That’s how they survive in human populations, they have to overcome immunity.
“It’s likely this is a B strain, these are the ones most common in the UK at the moment and they are strains we are not vaccinating against in this age group. It was introduced to babies 10 years ago.”
Meningitis case in London, reports say
09:46 , Holly EvansWhile there have been no confirmed cases outside of Kent at this stage, KentOnline reports that a woman has been hospitalised in London.
Josh Risby told the paper: “Now the slight concern for us is that I'm not a student here, my girlfriend's not a student here, my sister's not a student here and she's come down potentially with meningitis, so where's that come from?”
The UKHSA’s Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam told BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday morning: "As serious and devastating as this current outbreak is, it’s very much contained in the local area in Canterbury and Kent, we’re not seeing this spread more widely.”
'It feels like we're back in Covid', student says
09:44 , Dan HaygarthStudents are queuing for antibiotics at the Senate building on the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus. Most are in face masks or have fashioned face coverings and there is an anxious mood among them, with some social distancing being maintained.
Harvey Bennett, a 21-year-old cell biology masters student from Deal, told The Independent that there is a feeling of "tension" among students.
He said: “There’s a little bit of tension, I guess, because obviously we haven't had anything happen like this before.“I thought I'd come down here today, it's better to be safe than sorry.”
Harvey said he wasn’t personally contacted to be told he needed to collect medication but had been told that those who are concerned should come to the Senate building to collect antibiotics.
He said: “I wasn't personally contacted, but I have received communications [saying] they are handing out antibiotics and you should come down if you are concerned and if you feel that you need them, and yeah.
“I didn't realise everyone was going to be wearing face masks down here so I came a little unprepared, but luckily they were handing them out. It definitely feels like we're back in covid, it's weird.”
Mapped: Where have cases been confirmed?
08:40 , Holly Evans
My friend died of meningitis while at university. Why does it still kill?
08:29 , Holly EvansMy friend Antonia was 18 years old when she died overnight from bacterial meningitis, during her first term at Oxford University, in October 2009. Seventeen years on, there is still not enough being done to inform students about the symptoms and dangers of the disease.
Two people have died following a meningitis outbreak in Kent this weekend – including a University of Kent student – and more than a dozen young people from the Canterbury area have reportedly been taken to hospital.
Although many people are aware meningitis mainly affects babies and children, university students are the second most “at risk” group for the disease. One in four 15-19 year olds will be carrying the meningococcal bacteria at the back of their throats, compared to one in ten of the overall UK population.
Sadly, student deaths from meningitis are not uncommon.
Read the full article from Katy Fallon here:
My friend died of meningitis while at university. Why does it still kill?
