Number of meningitis cases linked to Kent outbreak rises to 27

The number of cases of meningitis linked to an outbreak in Kent has risen to 27, up from 20, the UK Health Security Agency has said.

Prof Robin May, the chief scientific officer at the UKHSA, said it was a “very unusual outbreak”.

To date, 600 meningitis B vaccines have been administered at the University of Kent Canterbury campus after hundreds of students joined a queue outside the campus sports centre. One school pupil and one university student died and 18 more cases were being investigated by the UKHSA, with some young people placed in induced comas.

The UKHSA issued an alert for the NHS across England on Wednesday about signs and symptoms of meningitis to look out for, though this does not signal the outbreak is going to spread nationwide.

Canterbury Christ Church University, also in Kent, confirmed a meningitis case among its students on Wednesday, meaning confirmed or suspected cases have been reported at two universities and five schools.

GPs across the country have also been told to prescribe antibiotics to anyone who visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury from 5-7 March, plus students from the University of Kent. This is to ensure anyone who has left campus can get the right treatment.

The UKHSA stressed the NHS was well stocked for menB vaccines after pharmacies reported they were struggling to obtain the jabs for people who want to pay privately.

All reported cases so far have a link to Kent, according to the UKHSA.

More details soon …