A meningitis outbreak at the University of Kent and three schools has resulted in two deaths and 11 hospitalisations, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed. The deceased are a student at the University of Kent and a sixth-former at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School (QEGS) in Faversham, named as Juliette. Two other schools—Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys in Canterbury and Norton Knatchbull School in Ashford—have each reported a year 13 student in hospital with meningitis.
Since 13 March, 13 cases have been notified, including the two fatalities. The UKHSA is continuing to investigate the outbreak, with the specific strain of meningitis yet to be identified. Long queues of students formed at the University of Kent's Canterbury campus on Monday as they awaited antibiotics, many after being contacted by the UKHSA due to possible exposure. The university has moved all assessments due this week online, affecting about 1,700 students, but the campus remains open.
Juliette's headteacher, Amelia McIlroy, described her as a 'kind, thoughtful and intelligent' student who 'embraced everything that school had to offer with great enthusiasm and joy'. Her father told the BBC the family were 'beyond devastated'. Helen Whately, MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, expressed her shock and sadness, stating she had spoken to Health Secretary Wes Streeting and was seeking urgent information from the UKHSA.
Students at the university expressed a mix of shock and reassurance. Kirab Rhoda, 18, said she felt reassured by the university's response, while Millie Inglis, 21, described the situation as 'Covid-esque' but emphasised the importance of preventing further spread. The UKHSA has advised close contacts to take antibiotics as a precaution.
