There Has Been An Outbreak Of Meningitis

A meningitis outbreak said to be linked to a nightclub has killed two young people and left 11 others seriously ill.

The victims, who have not been named, are believed to be aged between 17 and 21.

One was identified as a sixth-form student at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in neighbouring Faversham, while the other was verified as a student at the University of Kent.

Most hospitalised patients are of the same age and are thought to be students at the school.

A friend of two people fighting the deadly infection – one of whom is in a coma – has told the Daily Mail they began to exhibit symptoms after going to Club Chemistry in Canterbury on Friday, March 6. 

With a capacity of 1,600 and three floors, student-favourite Club Chemistry is probably a hotbed for the deadly infection.

The woman revealed that her friends had attended the venue as part of a birthday celebration, but within days of the night out, several members of the group began to feel increasingly unwell.

She told the Daily Mail: ‘My pal went out for her birthday with her partner and a few friends. The plan was to go clubbing and have a nice time, as teenagers do.

‘She simply wanted a nice evening with her friends for her birthday, but after attending Club Chemistry, came out really ill in the coming days, which ended with some in hospital.’

The woman said her friend experienced meningitis symptoms such as paleness, sickness and tiredness before attending A&E this weekend, where a lumbar puncture procedure confirmed she had contracted meningitis.

She added another man who had gone to Club Chemistry is currently in a coma because of the infection, while one more was displaying symptoms.

It comes as more than 30,000 students and staff have been alerted by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), alerting them to remain vigilant against symptoms.

The UKHSA said it was arranging antibiotics for some students in the Canterbury area following the outbreak.

On Sunday, the university urged anyone who believes they have come into contact with those who have contracted meningitis and have not been contacted by the UKHSA to attend the Senate university building between 9 am and 4 pm on Monday.

Experts described the number and severity of cases as ‘very rare’ and ‘extremely concerning’.

Trevor Reid of charity Meningitis Now said: ‘This is not the type of 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.’

Sadly, outbreaks of meningitis among university students are extremely common, and more literature about this on boards around the universities should be present with signs and symptoms.

Meningitis symptoms in students can include sudden high fever, stiff neck, severe headaches, nausea or vomiting, and confusion, and it requires immediate medical attention. It can also manifest sensitivity to light, drowsiness or trouble waking and sometimes a skin rash. By rolling a glass over the rash, if it doesn’t fade, then the odds are it is meningitis, and prompt medical attention is required.

When at the hospital, do not take no for an answer because meningitis is fatal if not treated accordingly.

This story should have been a frontline headliner.

If there is any possible chance that a person has meningitis, it needs to be contained extremely quickly and should be taken extremely seriously, not brushed aside, because meningitis can be contagious, depending on the cause, whether it is bacterial or viral. Viral forms are usually contagious.