Students queue for antibiotics after two die in meningitis outbreak

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Zac SherrattSouth East

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Students queued throughout the day at the University of Kent to receive precautionary antibiotics

Hundreds of students have been queuing for antibiotics after two young people died and 11 were taken to hospital in an outbreak of meningitis in Kent.

Three schools and the University of Kent have confirmed cases, with in-person exams and assessments cancelled at the university.

An 18-year-old Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School pupil, named by her family as Juliette, and a 21-year-old university student were confirmed to have died from the infection.

More than 30,000 people across Canterbury have been contacted by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which said the outbreak was “particularly large” and “unprecedented in recent years”.

Juliette’s father said the family were “beyond devastated and they have no words to express their loss”.

Her head teacher, Amelia McIlroy, said Juliette was “a genuinely caring and attentive listener, a true friend who listened with warmth, respect and sincere interest to her peers and to our staff”.

“In short, she was a lovely girl,” she added.

Family handout

Sixth form student Juliette died after contracting meningitis

In the immediate aftermath of the outbreak, health professionals were seen at the University of Kent - transferring people to hospital while wearing protective clothing.

Throughout the day, students in face masks and members of the public have been lining up on campus to receive precautionary antibiotics.

The university said it would be providing antibiotics until 20:00 GMT and would resume at 09:00 on Tuesday.

It also said the campus would remain open, despite all scheduled assessments for the next few days being cancelled.

Isabel Kenny, 21, was one of the hundreds of students queuing up.

The fourth year said she heard about the outbreak on the news before emails from the university started coming in. Her friends then started texting in group chats.

“Everyone was getting quite nervous really,” said Kenny, who added that she had seen several of her peers packing up and heading home.

“Everybody is going home, I saw so many students with suitcases going towards the train station.”

Students queue for antibiotics after meningitis outbreak

The UKHSA has so far said it is aware of 13 cases with signs and symptoms of meningitis from Friday to Sunday in the Canterbury area.

A spokeswoman 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.

The outbreak is thought to be linked to a nightclub event in Canterbury.

The owner of Club Chemistry said the UKHSA had informed staff that somebody who was in the club had “since been diagnosed with meningitis”.

Louise Jones-Roberts said the UKHSA had asked if the club had methods for tracing people - but there were hurdles.

“We have an ID scanner but that is more of a security measure,” she said. “It takes pictures of some driving licences, ID cards and so on.”

Jones-Roberts said the club would stay closed until further advice from the UKHSA, adding: “I can’t imagine what the families are going through. Meningitis affects healthy, young people and this is devastating.”

Health professionals arrived at the university in the immediate aftermath of the outbreak

On Monday, it was confirmed a Year 13 pupil from the Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys in Canterbury and a pupil from Norton Knatchbull School, in Ashford, were among those in hospital.

Trish Mannes, UKHSA regional deputy director for the South East, urged people to be aware of symptoms and to act fast.

“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,” she said.

"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.”

Anyone becoming unwell with symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia is urged to go to their closest A&E department or call 999.

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