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 rare and fast-acting form of meningitis, combined with septicaemia, has prompted health officials to provide antibiotics to students in the Canterbury area.
The UKHSA detected 13 cases of the disease, which is caused by meningococcal bacteria spreading to the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, causing meningitis, and infecting the bloodstream, leading to sepsis. Symptoms include rashes, 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. Specialists are interviewing families to identify close contacts and arrange antibiotics. The specific bacterial strain has not been identified. Trish Mannes, UKHSA south-east deputy director, urged students and staff to remain alert, noting that symptoms can be mistaken for a cold, flu, or hangover, and that checking on unwell friends could save lives.
A University of Kent spokesperson expressed deep sadness over the student's death, stating, 'Our thoughts are with the student’s family, friends and the wider university community at this extremely difficult time.' The university is working with public health teams to provide support. Tom Nutt, chief executive of charity Meningitis Now, emphasised that university students are at increased risk due to close living and socialising conditions.
