A meningitis outbreak at a university in Kent has killed two young people and left 11 others seriously ill. The victims, aged between 17 and 21, have not been named. One was a student at the University of Kent, while the other was a sixth-form pupil at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Faversham.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has alerted over 30,000 students and staff to stay vigilant against symptoms. The outbreak is believed to be linked to a social event in Canterbury, which some of those affected had recently attended. The UKHSA is arranging antibiotics for some students in the area.
Experts described the number and severity of cases as 'very rare' and 'extremely concerning'. Trevor Reid of Meningitis Now said: 'This is not the type level of cases we have heard of for many, many years. It is very rare that we would see anything like this and we are extremely concerned.'
Officials are working to establish the strain, which is likely to be Meningitis B. The MenB vaccine is only available on the NHS for young children, and campaigners are calling for a booster or vaccine to be offered to young adults. Reid added: 'There is a generation growing up without protection. It's tragic that you have these young people going to university believing that they have had a vaccine and are protected but they're not.'
The university has urged anyone who believes they have come into contact with those affected and have not been contacted by UKHSA to attend the Senate building on Monday between 9am and 4pm.
