A meningitis outbreak at the University of Kent and three schools has resulted in two deaths and 11 hospitalisations, with long queues forming for antibiotics at the Canterbury campus.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed 13 cases since March 13, including two fatalities: a University of Kent student 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, each have a year 13 student hospitalised with meningitis.
Juliette was described by her headteacher as “a kind, thoughtful and intelligent young woman” who “embraced everything that school had to offer with great enthusiasm and joy.” Her father told the BBC the family were “beyond devastated.”
On Monday, students at the University of Kent queued for antibiotics after being contacted by UKHSA due to possible exposure. The university moved all assessments online for about 1,700 students but kept the campus open. Law student Millie Inglis, 21, said the situation felt “very Covid-esque,” while Kirab Rhoda, 18, felt reassured by the university’s response.
Faversham and Mid Kent MP Helen Whately expressed shock and said she had urged the NHS for more information, noting the “rumours going round about where they may have picked it up.” The specific strain of meningitis has not yet been identified.
