A 20-year-old student from Canterbury Christ Church University is recovering in hospital after contracting meningitis, as the outbreak linked to a Kent nightclub continues to spread. Tyra Skinner was rushed into critical care at William Harvey Hospital after experiencing severe symptoms including vomiting, headache, stiff neck and excruciating pain. Her father, Dale Skinner, described seeing his daughter in a foetal position, helpless and in agony.
Skinner had visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury ten days before her admission on Monday. Health officials believe the nightclub was the site of a 'super-spreader' event, with an estimated 4,800 people attending on 5, 6 or 7 March. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed 29 confirmed or suspected cases of meningitis, with 13 of 18 confirmed cases caused by the meningitis B strain. All patients required hospital admission, and over 9,800 courses of antibiotics and 2,360 vaccines have been administered.
Dr Anjan Ghosh, director of public health at Kent County Council, said all known cases have a link back to Club Chemistry, where close contact, sharing of vapes and drinks, and intimacy likely contributed to the spread of the bacteria. Chelsea Abbott, a 19-year-old college student who visited the club, described the environment as 'very easy for bacteria to spread' due to kissing and sharing items.
The outbreak has claimed two lives: Juliette Kenny, an 18-year-old sixth-form pupil, and an unnamed University of Kent student. The UKHSA was notified of the first case on 13 March and issued a public health alert two days later. Club owner Louise Jones-Roberts said she was initially shocked but emphasised the need to inform people of symptoms and actions to take.
Many students had travelled home for Mother's Day unaware of the outbreak, raising concerns about further spread. The UKHSA continues to monitor the situation, with a case now reported in London.
