The number of cases of the bacterial meningitis outbreak due to meningococcal meningitis – of which 15 have been confirmed and 12 are still being tested – has reached 27, up from 20 yesterday (Wednesday), England’s health authorities said today, and two young people have already died.
“Preventive antibiotic treatment continues to be given to students at Kent University, as well as to any person who went to Club Chemistry in Canterbury from 5 to 7 March,” the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) noted.
In addition, a major meningitis B vaccination campaign was launched yesterday on the University of Kent campus, which “will be extended if necessary”, the UKHSA clarified.
UK Health Secretary Wes Streting, who has described the outbreak as “unprecedented”, is expected to visit a vaccination centre in Kent today. According to the minister, most of the cases are linked to the Club Chemistry where Kent University students frequent.
Around 2,000 people attended the club during the three days in question in early March.
For his part, British Prime Minister Kir Starmers yesterday urged those at the club to inform authorities in order to start antibiotic treatment.
Already an 18-year-old high school student and a University of Kent student, aged 21, have died.
A case has been reported in France, with the country’s health ministry confirming yesterday that a person who went to the University of Kent is being treated in a stable condition.
