Two people have died and 11 are seriously ill in hospital following an outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease at the University of Kent, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed. The agency said it has provided antibiotics to students in the Canterbury area after detecting 13 cases of the fast-acting disease, which combines meningitis and septicaemia.
The disease is caused by meningococcal bacteria infecting the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, leading to meningitis, and the bloodstream, causing sepsis. Symptoms include a rash, sudden fever, severe headaches, stiff neck, vomiting, diarrhoea, joint and muscle pain, sensitivity to light, cold hands and feet, seizures, confusion, and extreme sleepiness.
One of the deceased was a University of Kent student. The BBC reported that another 11 young people are seriously ill in hospital. UKHSA specialists are interviewing families to identify close contacts and arrange antibiotics. The specific strain has not been identified.
Trish Mannes, UKHSA south-east deputy director, expressed condolences and urged vigilance: “Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly, so it’s essential that students and staff are alert to the signs and symptoms.” She noted that students may miss early warning signs as they can be confused with a bad cold, flu, or hangover.
A University of Kent spokesperson said they were “deeply saddened” by the death of a student and are working with public health teams to provide support. Tom Nutt, chief executive of Meningitis Now, warned that the disease “can progress very quickly” and urged students to remain vigilant, as university settings increase risk of spread.
