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A second death has been confirmed following a meningitis outbreak in Kent, with MP Helen Whately saying a Year 13 pupil at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School and a University of Kent student have both died.
The outbreak has caused growing concern across the Canterbury area after it was revealed that 13 cases of invasive meningococcal disease had been identified. According to the UK Health Security Agency, 11 other people are seriously ill in hospital.
Invasive meningococcal disease is a severe infection that can lead to meningitis and septicaemia. It develops when meningococcal bacteria spread to the fluid around the brain and spinal cord or enter the bloodstream, making the illness especially dangerous because it can worsen very quickly.
Helen Whately, MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, described the situation as a huge shock for the local community. She said she was deeply saddened by the deaths of the two young people and expressed sympathy for their families. She also said there was serious concern for those currently in hospital and others who may be at risk, adding that she had asked the NHS for urgent information and guidance.
The UK Health Security Agency said antibiotics had been offered to students in the Canterbury area after the cases were detected. Health officials are also speaking to the families of those affected in order to identify close contacts and provide preventive treatment where necessary. The exact strain of the disease has not yet been confirmed.
Health experts have warned that meningococcal disease can progress rapidly and have urged students, staff and local residents to stay alert to possible symptoms. These can include a rash, sudden fever, severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle and joint pain, sensitivity to bright light, cold hands and feet, seizures, confusion and extreme drowsiness.
Trish Mannes, deputy director for the UKHSA in the south-east, offered condolences to the families and friends of those affected. She said many people at the university and in the wider community would be deeply distressed by the news.
She also warned that early symptoms can easily be mistaken for illnesses such as flu, a bad cold or even a hangover, particularly among students. She urged people to check on anyone who goes to bed feeling unwell and to seek urgent medical help if symptoms appear, saying this could save lives.
The outbreak has sparked alarm across Kent as health authorities continue efforts to contain the spread and protect those who may have been exposed.
