An interactive map has revealed the locations of confirmed meningitis cases amid an outbreak linked to a nightclub in Canterbury, Kent. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is investigating 18 cases, with two deaths reported: an 18-year-old schoolgirl named Juliette and a 21-year-old University of Kent student, both from meningitis B.
The outbreak is centred on Club Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury. The first case was reported on March 13 at the University of Kent. Since then, cases have been confirmed at Canterbury Christ Church University and several schools, including Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham, Norton Knatchbull School in Ashford, Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys in Canterbury, and Highworth Grammar School in Ashford.
A case has also been reported at Escape Studios in North Greenwich, where a student was hospitalised with meningitis. In Dorset, a secondary school pupil at Budmouth Academy in Weymouth contracted meningococcal disease, though it is unclear if this is linked to the Kent outbreak.
French authorities confirmed a case linked to the Kent outbreak, with a patient hospitalised in France after returning from England. The French Ministry of Health stated the patient is in stable condition and that all necessary measures have been taken to limit spread.
