Some 11 college students are presently critically unwell.
Two college students on the College of Kent died after an outbreak of meningitis (Picture: Ben Wright/College of Kent)
A scholar was certainly one of two individuals who have died after an outbreak of meningitis on the College of Kent, the UK Well being Safety Company has mentioned.
A College of Kent spokesperson confirmed that one scholar has died following a case of invasive meningitis.
An additional 11 college students from the Canterbury space are understood to be in hospital in a critical situation, in accordance with experiences. It’s understood The UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) is contacting greater than 30,000 college students, workers and relations because it races to comprise the unfold. The precise pressure has not but been recognized.
Trish Mannes, UKHSA regional deputy director for the South East, mentioned college students might be vulnerable to lacking signs on account of complicated them for “a nasty chilly, flu, or perhaps a hangover”.
“College students and workers will understandably be feeling fearful concerning the danger of additional instances; nevertheless, we want to reassure them that shut contacts of instances have been given antibiotics as a precautionary measure. Recommendation and help is being provided to the broader scholar group, and to native hospitals and NHS 111, and we’re monitoring the scenario carefully.
We’re deeply saddened to verify that one scholar from the College of Kent has died following a case of invasive meningitis.
Our ideas are with the scholar’s household, pals and the broader college group at this extraordinarily tough time.
The protection of our college students… pic.twitter.com/tjnYvMssXR
— College of Kent (@UniKent) March 15, 2026
“Meningococcal illness can progress quickly, so it’s important that college students and workers are alert to the indicators and signs of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, which may embrace a fever, headache, fast respiratory, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting and chilly fingers and ft. Septicaemia may also trigger a attribute rash that doesn’t fade when pressed in opposition to a glass.
“College students are significantly vulnerable to lacking the early warning indicators of meningitis as a result of they are often simply confused with different sicknesses akin to a nasty chilly, flu or perhaps a hangover.
“That’s why it’s very important that, if a buddy goes to mattress unwell, you examine on them recurrently and don’t hesitate to hunt medical assist by contacting their GP or calling NHS 111 if they’ve these signs otherwise you’re involved about them. This might save their life.”
Meningococcal illness, which may embrace meningitis and septicaemia, is an unusual however critical illness brought on by meningococcal micro organism. The UKHSA mentioned “very sometimes” the meningococcal micro organism could cause critical sickness, together with irritation of the liner of the mind and blood poisoning, which may quickly result in sepsis.
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Meningitis is an an infection of the protecting membranes that encompass the mind and spinal twine and might be critical if not handled promptly. Signs of meningitis embrace a excessive fever, being sick and a extreme and worsening headache, however may also trigger life-threatening sepsis. Anybody changing into unwell with signs of meningitis and septicaemia is urged to go to their closest A&E division or name 999.
Dr Tom Nutt, chief government of Meningitis Now, mentioned: “Meningitis can progress in a short time and its affect is devastating, significantly for younger folks and their family members. College college students and younger adults are among the many teams at elevated danger as a result of meningitis micro organism can unfold extra simply in settings the place folks dwell, examine and socialise carefully collectively.”
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