Two people have died following an outbreak of a serious “invasive” illness linked to meningitis and septicaemia at a university.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it was alerted to 13 cases showing symptoms consistent with meningitis and septicaemia between Friday and Sunday in the Canterbury area of Kent.
Health officials and the NHS are now arranging precautionary antibiotics for some students at the University of Kent after several cases of invasive meningococcal disease were identified, although the specific strain has not yet been confirmed.
The UKHSA said two deaths had been reported in connection with the outbreak.
Meningococcal disease, which can present as meningitis or septicaemia, is a rare but potentially life-threatening infection caused by meningococcal bacteria.
In most cases the bacteria do not cause illness, but in rare instances they can lead to severe conditions such as inflammation of the lining of the brain or blood poisoning, which can quickly develop into sepsis.
Trish Mannes, regional deputy director for the South East at the UKHSA, said the news would be deeply distressing for many within the university community.
She 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.”
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Health officials and the NHS are now arranging precautionary antibiotics for some students at the University of Kent | UNIVERSITY OF KENT
