Meningitis outbreak spreads to SECOND university as health officials issue urgent update

Close contacts of the individual have been contacted and told to take precautionary antibiotics, according to the university.

In a statement, they said: "We have followed UKHSA advice and informed the limited number of close contacts of the individual that they should receive precautionary antibiotics, if they have not done so already".

"We continue to monitor the case closely and work with UKHSA, public health clinicians, and others on the appropriate response.

"In line with UKHSA advice, our campus remains open, and core teaching, learning, and research activities will continue".

"This case is linked to the initial cluster in Club Chemistry on March 5, 6 and 7", the university added.

The outbreak first affected students at the University of Kent, thought to have spread in Club Chemistry from students sharing drinks and vapes.

The spread of the contagious disease has so far claimed two lives including Year 13 student Juliette, 18, named as one of the dead.

Her family said they are "beyond devastated," and they have "no words to express their loss".

Upwards of 20 cases have been reported, with one case reported in London on Tuesday, marking the first confirmed outside of Kent where the outbreak originated.

A University of Kent spokesman has said the targeted vaccine programme will be rolled out today.

The outbreak has become recognised as the the largest and most concerning spread of meningococcal disease in decades, declared a national incident as cases spread beyond the Kent city.

Susan Hopkins, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, acknowledged the "explosive nature" of the cluster, while deputy chief medical officer Dr Thomas Waite described it as the fastest-growing outbreak of his career.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has called the situation unprecedented and rapidly developing.

Despite such alarming language from officials, leading microbiologists are reassuring the public that the disease behaves fundamentally differently from Covid-19, amid fears of a pandemic on a similar scale.

The UKHSA has today issued an alert for the NHS across England on signs and symptoms of meningitis to look out for.

It said the illness being seen in the Kent outbreak “has been severe with rapid deterioration”.

The body urges clinical staff to take infection control measures in the period before patients are put on antibiotics, such as face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE).

Staff should “continue transmission-based precautions until the patient has been established on antibiotics for at least 24 hours”.

The alert also urges doctors to have a “high index of suspicion where a young person aged 16 to 30 attends with consistent signs or symptoms”.

And it warns that staff should not wait for a rash to appear, but should consider meningitis in “a rapidly deteriorating patient with sepsis”.

In an attempt to curd the spread in Canterbury, a sports hall at the University of Kent has been set up with tables ahead of the rollout of meningitis B vaccinations.

A University of Kent spokeswoman said: "Today, the University - in partnership with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) - are rolling out the first targeted Meningitis B vaccination programme to all students living on our Canterbury campus.

“Alongside this, we will continue to offer precautionary antibiotics to staff and students that may be affected.

“This is part of our ongoing commitment to offer a swift response and reassurance to support Kent students at this difficult time".