Two University of Kent students die after ‘invasive’ meningitis outbreak with 11 others in hospital

An outbreak of an ‘invasive’ strain of meningitis has led to the deaths of two students at the University of Kent.

A further 11 students from the Canterbury area are currently seriously ill in hospital, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

They were all identified between Friday and today. The specific strain has not yet been identified, the UKHSA said.

The UKHSA told Metro that it is contacting more than 30,000 students, staff and their families to inform them of the situation.

They are also working with the university to issue ‘advice to staff and students’ and interviewing affected individuals and their families ‘to help identify all close contacts and arrange antibiotics to limit spread’.

Trish Mannes, UKHSA regional deputy director for the South East, offered her ‘condolences to the friends and family involved’ and said the antibiotics were a ‘precautionary measure’.

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord and can be serious if not treated promptly.

Symptoms include a high fever, being sick, and severe headaches. In extreme cases, it can cause life-threatening sepsis.

Ms Mannes explained that students can be at risk of missing symptoms due to confusing them for ‘a bad cold, flu, or even a hangover’.

Anyone becoming unwell with symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia is urged to go to their closest A&E department or call 999.

Metro has contacted the University of Kent for comment.

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