Meningitis case in France linked to University of Kent outbreak
The infected person is a student at the university. At least two people have died in the UK outbreak
The University of Kent in Canterbury is at the centre of a major outbreak of the illness. Photo shows students lining up to receive antibiotics following the outbreak
PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo
A case of meningitis that was recorded in France at the weekend has been linked to an outbreak of the illness at the UK’s University of Kent that has killed two people.
Fifteen people have also been hospitalised in the UK where the outbreak is described as ‘unprecedented’. The first cases were declared last Friday (March 13), impacting students at the university in Canterbury in the south-east of the country and a nearby Grammar School in Faversham.
Several cases in the outbreak relate to strain ‘B’ of the illness – extremely rare but severe.
In an update to parliament on Tuesday (March 17), UK Health Minister Wes Streeting said that French health authorities also declared a case of the strain in the country over the weekend.
The infected person is a student at the university, the UK Minister said. No further details were given.
Most of the cases are linked to students and pupils who attended the ‘Chemistry’ nightclub in the city between March 5 and 7. People who attended the club on those dates are asked to contact authorities to obtain special antibiotics against the illness.
These are also being handed out to people who are thought to have come into contact with infected students, with at least 700 doses being handed out so far.
Meningitis is contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets, usually through close personal contact, sharing drinks, and kissing, as well as coughing and sneezing.
Adults are at risk from the disease as well as children.
Rare strain not protected against vaccination
Meningitis vaccinations are given in both the UK and France (it is one of the obligatory vaccines for children in the latter), covering all forms of the illness including the rare ‘B’ strain.
Top-ups are highly recommended for teenagers (11-14), and may be offered for the 15-24 age range if they did not have the original vaccines or need a catch-up vaccine.
However, the recommended and booster vaccines cover the four most common strains of the bacteria – A, C, W, Y – and not the very rare ‘B’ strain at the centre of the current outbreak.
A special vaccination programme is planned for students at the university.
At least four of the cases in the current outbreak relate to strain ‘B’.
Following an incubation period of four to ten days, people with meningitis suffer from a fever, headaches, a stiff neck, vomiting, and lethargy. The disease can be fatal if left untreated, but even after receiving healthcare long-term neurological issues are possible. The illness can also cause septicaemia and arthritis.
