Cases of meningitis have been reported across Kent, other parts of the UK and even abroad following the death of two students
A map has revealed all the locations with confirmed cases of meningitis amid the outbreak linked to a Kent nightclub
Two students have sadly died and 18 more cases are being investigated by the UK Health Security Agency after the outbreak linked the to Club Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury. An 18-year-old schoolgirl, named Juliette, and a 21-year-old University of Kent student died after contracting meningitis B.
Several schools in the Kent area have reported confirmed meningitis cases and French authorities even revealed a case linked to the Kent club. The UKHSA said it was notified about the first case of someone being diagnosed with meningitis on March 13 – a student at the University of Kent.
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On Wednesday, health officials revealed a case of meningitis at a second university has been confirmed. This was at the Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent, and the UKHSA said this case was also connected to the Club Chemistry nightclub.
Several schools in Kent have reported confirmed cases, including: Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, in Faversham; Norton Knatchbull School, in Ashford; Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys, in Canterbury; Highworth Grammar School, in Ashford.
Areas with confirmed meningitis cases:
- Canterbury, Kent
- Faversham, Kent
- Ashford, Kent
- North Greenwich, London
- Weymouth, Dorset
- France
The UKHSA is also investigating a case in North Greenwich after a student was hospitalised with the infection.
Escape Studios, a game development, VFX and animation school in North Greenwich, said in an email sent to students on Tuesday morning that someone was “hospitalised over the weekend and diagnosed with meningitis”.
A secondary school pupil in Weymouth, Dorset, has also contracted meningococcal disease, which can cause meningitis. A letter to parents at Budmouth Academy said an “isolated” case was identified, according to the Dorset Echo. It is not clear whether this case is linked to the Kent outbreak.
French authorities revealed a person was admitted to hospital with meningitis, linked to the Kent outbreak. The French Ministry of Health said this person became ill in France after coming back from England and is now in a “stable” condition.
Officials across the Channel added no other cases of meningitis linked to the outbreak in Kent have been reported in France. A Ministry spokesperson said: “The patient has been hospitalised and their condition is stable. All possible measures have been taken to limit the spread of the infection. People who were in risky contact with the patient have been informed and an antibiotic treatment has been offered to them.”
