Huge queues are building for treatment after a meningitis outbreak that has left a student and a “kind, thoughtful and intelligent” secondary school pupil dead.
Some of the 200 or so people waiting in line at the University of Kent in Canterbury this morning include members of the public directed there after calling 111.
It comes after the tragic deaths of a student from the uni and a Year 13 pupil, named as Juliette, from Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham, with the outbreak potentially linked to a night out at a club in Canterbury.
The UK Health Security Agency has been notified of at least 13 cases of people with signs and symptoms of meningitis. Several young people reported to have been hospitalised.
Queen Elizabeth’s has told Year 13 pupils to stay at home today, as has Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys, which is understood to have been impacted.
Other schools in the city have issued advice to pupils after saying they have no reported cases.
Symptoms of meningitis include a high fever, vomiting and a severe and worsening headache.
The outbreak has been linked to an evening at the Club Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury, believed to be Friday, March 6.
The University of Kent has cancelled all in-person exams but campuses remain open.
Amelia McIlroy, head teacher at Queen Elizabeth’s, told Sky News today: “Juliette was a student at our school for seven years. She was incredibly kind, thoughtful and intelligent, and she loved our school.
“Juliette embraced everything that school had to offer with great enthusiasm and joy, and her humour and her positivity were captivating.
“She 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, her beautiful smile, her loving nature and her sense of fun will be hugely missed. We are all completely devastated.
“Our love and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this terribly sad time.”
One of those queuing for antibiotics this morning was Josh Risby, who told KentOnline his sister was in hospital with suspected meningitis.
Josh, 26, who works in logistics in Aylesham, says his 24-year-old sister was admitted to hospital after he had seen her on Mother’s Day.
He said: “Now the slight concern for us is that I’m not a student here, my girlfriend’s not a student here, my sister’s not a student here and she’s come down potentially with meningitis, so where’s that come from?
“So we called 111 and said to them, you know, this is what’s happened, what do you advise? And they sent us up here to come and get the antibiotic basically.”
Josh says that as far as he is aware, his sister has not attended Club Chemistry recently.
He added: “My sister’s up in London most of the time, living in London, working up there. I don’t have any contact with anybody at the university.
“So for us to be in this situation – I’m not overly worried, I feel fine – but it’s more of a precaution than anything, just to be sure.”
Nursing staff were handing out face masks to all those who did not have them in the growing queue – which stretched from the Senate building to the Co-op at the Canterbury campus.
Some other students were seen packing up their cars or being picked up by their parents.
Meanwhile, Whitstable Medical Practice has urged anyone with suspected symptoms not to attend GP surgeries or urgent treatment centres – instead telling people to attend their nearest A&E immediately.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says it and the NHS are arranging antibiotics for some students in the Canterbury area following “a number of cases of invasive meningococcal disease”. The specific strain has not been identified at the present time.
The UKHSA says from Friday to Sunday, it was notified of 13 cases of people with signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia and “sadly, two people are known to have died”.
Club Chemistry in Canterbury released a statement last night, saying: “Some people who may have attended Club Chemistry could have been affected by the current outbreak.
“We are awaiting further information from the UK Health Security Agency, which we will share with you as soon as we have it.
“Please look out for each other. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this.”
It comes after a friend of two people battling the infection told the Daily Mail that her pals had become ill after a night out at Club Chemistry, which has three floors and is popular with students.
The city’s other large nightclub – Tokyo Tea Rooms – is currently closed after a huge fire caused structural damage to the former Odeon cinema next door.
The UKHSA has contacted more than 30,000 students, staff and their families to inform them of the situation and what actions to take.
In a statement, the university confirmed one of its students has died after contracting the serious bacterial infection.
”Our thoughts are with the student’s family, friends and the wider university community at this extremely difficult time,” the uni said.
”The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. We are working closely with public health teams and are in touch with staff and students to ensure they get the advice and support they need.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and keep our community informed.”
The university confirmed in the early hours that all in-person exams had been cancelled.
It added: “Our campuses will remain open but please keep an eye on your emails as we will continue to update students directly.
“We recognise this is a difficult and sad time for all in our community, and support is available for anyone who may need it.”
The UKHSA had not yet contacted Queen Elizabeth’s when the school circulated an email on Sunday evening sharing the “devastating news” that a female Year 13 pupil had died on Saturday from “an extremely rare form of meningitis”.
“Our love and thoughts are with her family and friends and over the next few days we will be doing all we can to support all members of our school community,” the school added.
The email went on to say the school’s knowledge at the time was “very limited” and it had not yet been advised to take any further action.
“We are currently seeking advice from the UKHSA, who have not yet contacted us,” it adds.
This morning, head teacher Amelia McIlroy said: “Our priority now is the safety, well-being and support of all members of our school community at this terribly sad time.
“We will be working with UKHSA to ensure that all appropriate actions are taken to protect our students and staff.
“We would like to respect the family’s privacy at this time and will provide a further statement in due course.”
Schools in the Canterbury area have been sent letters by the UKHSA today, advising them about meningitis symptoms and adding: “There is no reason for you to make any change in the school routine and no reason for children to be kept at home.”
Helen Whately, MP for Faversham & Mid Kent, said: “It’s shocking and very worrying for parents. My heart goes out to families who have lost their children. Locally we are reeling.
“I’ve spoken to Susan Hopkins, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency. There is a lot going on at the University of Kent with contact tracing and providing antibiotics, and schools have also been given advice.
“There will be more advice for parents coming out later today.”
Dr Ken Moffat, headteacher at Simon Langton Boys’ School, says Year 13 pupils are studying at home today.
“This is an ongoing situation,” he told the BBC. “We are in contact with UKHSA and are monitoring our students.”
What steps should students take?
In a letter sent to University of Kent students, seen by KentOnline, the UKHSA, says students or staff who live or work in Keynes College Block Q or Tyler Court Block C should attend the Senate building for antibiotics “without delay”.
Those who don’t live in the above two university accommodation blocks but who believe they are a “close contact of a case of meningitis” are also being recommended to attend the same venue as soon as possible.
What is meningitis and what are the symptoms?
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord and can be serious and life-threatening if not treated promptly.
In the UK, most cases are due to bacteria or viruses. Some of the bacteria that cause meningitis can also lead to septicaemia (blood poisoning), and both conditions can result in sepsis, which is life-threatening.
According to the UKHSA, early symptoms can be similar to colds and flus but someone with meningitis or septicaemia will usually become seriously ill in a matter of hours.
Trish Mannes, UKHSA regional deputy director for the south east, said: “Students and staff will understandably be feeling worried about the risk of further cases; however, we would like to reassure them that close contacts of cases have been given antibiotics as a precautionary measure.
“Advice and support is being offered to the wider student community, and to local hospitals and NHS 111, and we’re monitoring the situation closely.”
She added: “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.
“That’s why it’s vital that, if a friend goes to bed unwell, you check on them regularly and don’t hesitate to seek medical help by contacting their GP or calling NHS 111 if they have these symptoms or you’re concerned about them. This could save their life.”
Early symptoms, which may not always be present, include:
• A rash that doesn’t fade when pressed with a glass
• Sudden onset of high fever
• Severe and worsening headache
• Stiff neck
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Joint and muscle pain
• Dislike of bright lights
• Very cold hands and feet
• Seizures
• Confusion/delirium
• Extreme sleepiness/difficulty waking
Young people going on to university or college for the first time are particularly at risk of meningitis because they mix with so many other students, some of whom are unknowingly carrying the bacteria at the back of their nose and throat.
There are numerous strains of the meningococcal infection. The MenACWY vaccination gives good protection against MenA, MenC, MenW, and MenY and is routinely offered to teenagers in school Years 9 and 10. However, this vaccine does not protect against all forms of meningitis. Other strains such as MenB can circulate in young adults.
What’s the reaction on campus?
On campus on Sunday evening, several people could be seen wearing masks in their own flats.
An ambulance was also seen parked outside one of the student blocks, with paramedics dressed in protective clothing and face masks preparing to enter.
In the square, final-year history student Sam Shuker told KentOnline he was worried about the situation.
“It’s quite grim,” he said. “I didn’t think I’d be dealing with this four days out from my dissertation deadline.
“My thoughts go out to those who are suffering and please stay safe. I don’t think we know what strain it is at this point but we’ve got to be on our toes. Social distance and all that.”
Eloise Thorne, a third-year psychology student, said the mood on campus was “very surreal”.
“It just feels like Covid all over again,” she said. “Everyone is confused and no one knows what’s going on.
“It’s really sad as well. I keep seeing people spreading videos of people who are sick around and I just feel like that might not be the best idea. It’s just scary, sad.”
She added: “I think people need to take it seriously so more people don’t end up like that [seriously ill]”.
Brittany Nsongo, a first-year astrophysics student, said she has had a few friends report in group chats them feeling sick with flu-like symptoms.
She has been alarmed by the circulation online of images of students allegedly being taken out of buildings while visibly unwell.
“It just feels like there is no respect for the actual victims,” she added.
Meanwhile, Student Ethan Falkner, 23, who is studying politics and international relations at the university, told KentOnline friends of his were “nervous and anxious”.
“First reaction to hearing the news is wishes to the people who have lost their lives already and to the ones currently in hospital suffering,” he said.
“I had friends sat in the library this evening who on finding out the news immediately packed bags and left to avoid contact with people.
“The university are yet to communicate to myself and as it stand my friends I’m in contact with and others in the university community have had no contact from the university itself regarding this critical issue.”
A petition has been set up online this evening calling for the Canterbury campus to be shut down on public health grounds. At the time of writing more than 3,600 signatures had been added.
Click here to view the petition.
Reacting online, Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield posted: “Terrible news about two students at University of Kent this weekend.
“Like most people in Canterbury, I’m thinking of those who loved them and will be most affected by these tragic deaths.
“Please follow the advice from the NHS which I’ll post here. I’ll update here with any information my team and I receive.”
