Hundreds of masked university students queued for antibiotics today after a meningitis outbreak killed two and experts warned it could be linked to a new strain.
The victims, aged from 17 to 21, were a student at the University of Kent in Canterbury and a sixth-former at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in nearby Faversham.
Meningitis can be spread through close contact, and microbiology experts today confirmed that the oubreak in Kent is of the serious bacterial form of the disease.
The vaccination ACWY-135 is received by teenagers in England between the ages of 13 and 14, in Year 9. Experts say vaccination rates among students are 73 per cent.
Infectious disease experts believe the outbreak at the University of Kent is ‘unusual’ and may be linked to a ‘new strain with different behaviours’. Eleven people have been left seriously ill, most of whom are also believed to be university students.
More than 30,000 students and staff at the campus have been alerted by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), warning them to stay vigilant against symptoms.
The ‘invasive’ outbreak is believed to be linked to a social event at a nightclub in Canterbury, which some of those affected had recently attended. The UKHSA is now arranging antibiotics for some students in the Canterbury area following the outbreak.
Queues formed today outside the Senate building after the university asked anyone who believes they have come into contact with those who contracted meningitis and have not been contacted by the UKHSA to attend between 9am and 4pm.
The NHS states meningitis can spread through close, direct contact with an infected person’s saliva or mucus, such as kissing, coughing, sneezing or sharing utensils.
Andrew Preston, professor of microbial pathogenicity at the University of Bath, said troday: ‘Uptake of the ACWY vaccine among adolescents is around 73 per cent, so there are a lot of unvaccinated students given the size of the student cohort. So, an outbreak of this size and speed is very unusual, and of great concern.
‘It is important to characterise the cause of the outbreak. A sudden change in disease pattern could indicate something like a new strain with different behaviours. It will be important to ascertain the vaccination status of those affected.
‘Fortunately, antibiotic resistance isn’t yet a major feature of these bacteria, so prophylactic antibiotics can be given to close contacts of cases, as is being done in Kent.
‘There will also be an opportunity for those who did not receive their adolescent vaccine the chance to have a catch up jab, but the immunity from that will take a little while to develop.’
Mr Preston added: ‘UKHSA have reported the outbreak is likely to be meningococcal, so Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. These bacteria inhabit the nasopharynx and in the vast majority of cases colonise that niche without causing any issues.
‘In a very small number of cases, the bacteria can gain access to the blood, where the pathogenic Neisseria meningitidis can survive and multiply. This is sepsis, another devastating disease.
‘From there, bacteria can cross the blood brain barrier to access the central nervous system, leading to meningitis.’
Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, also said: ‘There is a high level of ‘carriage’ of the bug that typically cause meningitis outbreaks, with maybe 20 per cent of the population harmlessly carrying the bacteria in their nose or throat.
‘If individuals encounter a strain that they do not have sufficient immunity against, then infection is possible. Carriage rates are usually highest in teenagers and younger adults, hence why new populations mixing at university can cause outbreaks.
‘And as we have seen, the disease can be severe and occasionally fatal. Vaccination has been the key tool to reduce the numbers of meningitis cases and deaths.’
Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, with bacterial meningitis being the most severe.
The disease can progress rapidly, leading to serious health complications such as brain damage, hearing loss, or even death if not treated promptly.
Common symptoms include a high fever, headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion, and in severe cases, seizures.
Officials were today working to establish the strain of the illness, most likely to be the deadliest type, meningitis B.
Trevor Reid, of charity 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.’
One person in every two or three who survives bacterial meningitis is left with one or more permanent problem such as hearing loss, brain injury and behavioural changes.
The MenB vaccine – the only protection against the bacteria – is only available on the NHS for young children, as they are seen as the most at risk.
This protects them for a couple of years, and for older children a booster or vaccine costs about £220 privately.
Campaigners want a vaccine or booster to be offered to young adults on the NHS, warning many do not know they are starting university unprotected.
Mr Reid said: ‘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.
‘We have a lot to do with parents who are bereaved. They want us to be even more vocal than we are. What victims’ families tell us is that they don’t know they’re not protected and they want that message out there.’
Keith Neal, retired professor of the epidemiology of infectious disease at the University of Nottingham, said: ‘I dealt with many university cases and a few community outbreaks in the past when meningitis was more common. This current outbreak is unusual.
‘”Invasive” means the germ has invaded into the blood stream or brain linings from the throat.
‘Risk to those in the Kent area is low although this is a community outbreak so there is a small risk; I suspect in the older teenage and student groups. Under 5s are most at risk to becoming seriously unwell with meningitis but teenagers and students are at a higher risk due to social mixing.’
On campus last night, several people could be seen wearing masks in their own flats.
An ambulance was also seen parked outside one of the student blocks, with paramedics dressed in protective clothing and face masks preparing to enter.
Final-year history student Sam Shuker said: ‘It’s quite grim. I didn’t think I’d be dealing with this four days out from my dissertation deadline.
‘My thoughts go out to those who are suffering and please stay safe. I don’t think we know what strain it is at this point but we’ve got to be on our toes. Social distance and all that.’
Eloise Thorne, a third-year psychology student, said the mood on campus was ‘very surreal’. She added: ‘It just feels like Covid all over again. Everyone is confused and no one knows what’s going on.
‘It’s really sad as well. I keep seeing people spreading videos of people who are sick around and I just feel like that might not be the best idea. It’s just scary, sad.’
Ms Thorne also said: ‘I think people need to take it seriously so more people don’t end up like that [seriously ill]’.
Brittany Nsongo, a first-year astrophysics student, said she has had a few friends report in group chats that they were feeling sick with flu-like symptoms.
She has been alarmed by the circulation online of images of students allegedly being taken out of buildings while visibly unwell. ‘It just feels like there is no respect for the actual victims,’ Ms Nsongo added.
Another student, Ethan Falkner, 23, who is studying politics and international relations at the university, said friends of his were ‘nervous and anxious’.
‘First reaction to hearing the news is wishes to the people who have lost their lives already and to the ones currently in hospital suffering,’ he said.
‘I had friends sat in the library this evening who on finding out the news, immediately packed bags and left to avoid contact with people.
‘The university are yet to communicate to myself and as it stands my friends I’m in contact with and others in the university community have had no contact from the university itself regarding this critical issue.’
Amelia McIlroy, head teacher at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, told parents: ‘It is with great sadness that we can confirm that on Saturday one of our much loved students in Year 13, died of meningitis. We are all absolutely devastated.
‘Our love and thoughts are with their family and friends. Our priority now is the safety, well-being and support of all members of our school community at this terribly sad time.
‘We will be working with UKHSA to ensure that all appropriate actions are taken to protect our students and staff.’
She added: ‘If your child feels unwell – particularly with vomiting, purple-bluish bruise-type markings, unexplained high temperature or has cold hands and feet – you should seek immediate medical attention for them.’
Students are said to be at particular risk of because of how often young people come together in large numbers.
Physiotherapy student Meg Draper, 18, died from meningitis weeks after starting at Bournemouth University last October.
The swimming and netball player, from Pontypool in South Wales, was immunised against meningitis A, C, W and Y and her parents said it was ‘horrific’ to find out a separate vaccination against MenB had existed.
They said their daughter would still be with them today if she had been offered the life-saving jab and are calling for a vaccine, or booster, to be made available to young adults on the NHS.
Trish Mannes, UKHSA regional deputy director for the South East, said: ‘We understand that many people at the university and in the wider community will be affected by this sad news and we would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family involved.
‘Students and staff will understandably be feeling worried about the risk of further cases; however, we would like to reassure them that close contacts of cases have been given antibiotics as a precautionary measure.
‘Advice and support is being offered to the wider student community, and to local hospitals and NHS 111, and we’re monitoring the situation closely.
‘Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly, so it’s essential that students and staff are alert to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, which can include a fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting and cold hands and feet.
‘Septicaemia can also cause a characteristic rash that does not fade when pressed against a glass.
‘Students are particularly at risk of missing the early warning signs of meningitis because they can be easily confused with other illnesses such as a bad cold, flu or even a hangover.
‘That’s why it’s vital that, if a friend goes to bed unwell, you check on them regularly and don’t hesitate to seek medical help by contacting their GP or calling NHS 111 if they have these symptoms or you’re concerned about them. This could save their life.’
There were 378 cases of invasive meningococcal disease in 2024/25, compared with 340 in 2023/24.
Cases of MenB, the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK, have also risen. There were 313 cases compared to 301 in the previous year.
There are numerous strains of the meningococcal infection.
The MenACWY vaccination gives protection against MenA, MenC, MenW, and MenY and is routinely offered to teenagers in school Years 9 and 10 – and it can be given up to the age of 25 if it has been missed.
However, this vaccine does not protect against all forms of meningitis. Other strains such as MenB can circulate in young adults.
Some students at the University of Kent have been given antibiotics while others are in hospital. The specific strain of meningitis has not yet been identified.
A spokeswoman for the UKHSA said: ‘We can confirm that UKHSA has worked with the University of Kent to provide advice letters to all 16,000 students, advising on recent cases, signs and symptoms, how to obtain antibiotics, and what to do if they feel unwell.’
Not all 16,000 students at the university will be given antibiotics, only those who are regarded as ‘close contacts’ of those affected.
Following news of the deaths, Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield posted: ‘Terrible news about two students at University of Kent this weekend.
‘Like most people in Canterbury, I’m thinking of those who loved them and will be most affected by these tragic deaths. Please follow the advice from the NHS which I’ll post here. I’ll update here with any information my team and I receive.’
Helen Whately, MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, also said: ‘The meningitis outbreak in our area is a huge shock.
‘Feeling so deeply sad for the young lives lost – a year 13 pupil at QEGS [Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School] and uni of Kent student. My heart goes out to their families.
‘It’s incredibly worrying too for the families of the young people in hospital, and others at risk. I am asking the NHS urgently for more information and guidance, especially given the rumours going round about where they may have picked it up.’
A University of Kent spokesperson said: ‘We are deeply saddened to confirm that one student from the University of Kent has died following a case of invasive meningitis.
‘Our thoughts are with the student’s family, friends and the wider university community at this extremely difficult time.
‘The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. We are working closely with public health teams and are in touch with staff and students to ensure they get the advice and support they need.’
Louise Jones-Roberts, owner of Club Chemistry in Canterbury, confirmed the venue had been contacted by the UKHSA.
‘We have been told somebody was in our club at the weekend who has since been diagnosed with meningitis,’ she said. ‘They have asked us if we have any methods for tracing who has been in to us.
‘We have an ID scanner but that is more of a security measure… It takes pictures of some driving licences, ID cards and on so on. We’ve got tickets for events so we could trace ticket-holders, but most people pay on the door.’
She said her thoughts were with the families of those affected by the meningitis outbreak.
‘I’m devastated,’ she said. ‘I can’t imagine what the families are going through. Our thoughts are with the families. Meningitis affects healthy, young people and this is devastating. We will stay closed until we get further advice from the UKHSA.’
Tom Nutt, chief executive of Meningitis Now, said: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of two young people following the reported outbreak of meningitis linked to the University of Kent.
‘Meningitis can progress very quickly and its impact is devastating, particularly for young people and their loved ones.
‘University students and young adults are among the groups at increased risk because meningitis bacteria can spread more easily in settings where people live, study and socialise closely together.
‘We urge students, staff and families to remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms of meningitis.’
