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Home » Meningitis B is strain behind Kent outbreak, UKHSA confirms
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Meningitis B is strain behind Kent outbreak, UKHSA confirms

By britishbulletin.com17 March 20264 Mins Read
Meningitis B is strain behind Kent outbreak, UKHSA confirms
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The strain of meningitis behind several cases in the Kent outbreak has been confirmed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to be group B, also known as MenB.

Addressing the incident, the agency said it will confirm the nature of the other cases “when we have the full results”.


Two people have died as a result of the outbreak, among 13 confirmed cases since March 13.

A Year 13 pupil in Faversham and a student at the University of Kent have died in the outbreak, with others being treated in hospital.

Young people born before 2015 are not protected against meningitis B unless they have had the jab privately.

It was introduced on the NHS for babies in 2015.

The UKHSA has urged those who attended a nightclub in Canterbury to come forward for preventive antibiotics against meningitis amid the viral outbreak.

It has called on those who visited Club Chemistry between March 5 and 7 to claim the treatment as a precautionary measure.

The strain of meningitis behind the outbreak in Kent has been confirmed as group B, also known as MenB

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GETTY

“Advice has been issued to 16,000 staff and students at the University of Kent, where antibiotics are also being offered to those who need them,” an official statement read.

Two sites in Kent were open for the public to collect antibiotics on Monday, and a further two are planned to open this morning.

Hundreds of students and locals queued at the campus on Monday to receive the precautionary antibiotics.

Louise Jones-Roberts, the owner of Club Chemistry, said that more than 2,000 people would have visited the venue over the three dates.

A Year 13 pupil in Faversham and a student at the University of Kent have died in the outbreak

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GETTY

Those who have visited the venue now need to be traced for antibiotics.

Ms Jones-Roberts said she had been told earlier that one confirmed case of meningitis had been linked to the club last weekend, but the dates had now been confirmed as being linked to the weekend of March 5 to 7.

Following the outbreak, the University of Kent cancelled in-person exams this week, while the student union called off its events.

Trish Mannes, UKHSA Regional Deputy Director for the South East, said: “Our thoughts remain with the friends and family involved, and we understand that many people in the university and wider community will be affected by this sad news.

“Our investigations have identified that some cases visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury, and it is important that anyone who visited the club between 5 and 7 March now comes forward for preventative antibiotic treatment as a precaution, as well as those offered antibiotics at the university – these students are being contacted directly through the university.

“If you think you may have symptoms of meningitis, do not hesitate to seek medical help by contacting your GP or calling NHS 111.”

Ms Jones-Roberts said she was now worried about “another potential outbreak from this weekend”.

The club owner said she had managed to contact around 90 out of 95 members of staff at the club and they had gone to get antibiotics.

“I’m devastated for the families affected. It’s so incredibly sad… I just really hope people know the symptoms and no more lives are lost.”

She confirmed that Chemistry would remain closed until further notice, adding: “It is not a hard decision to close – we are talking about people’s lives.”

Ms Jones-Roberts also said that a member of staff at the nightclub is one of the confirmed cases.

She said: “He is in hospital, he is being treated, and he’s awaiting further tests to see if the treatment he’s had has improved his condition.

“We’ve got two other members of staff who are currently in A&E with suspected meningitis, and we’re just waiting for the update from them for their test results.”

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