We are aware of recent reports of meningococcal meningitis affecting students at the University of Kent in Canterbury. Public health teams from the UK Health Security Agency are working closely with the university to manage the situation.
Meningococcal infection is a rare but serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) or septicaemia (blood poisoning).
Who needs to take action?
Public health teams are contacting close contacts of confirmed cases directly and providing antibiotics where necessary.
A close contact usually means prolonged close contact in a household-type setting during the 7 days before the person became ill. Examples include:
- People living or sleeping in the same household
- Partners or intimate contacts
- Students sharing a kitchen or accommodation in halls of residence
If you are a University of Kent student who believes you may be a close contact but have not yet been contacted, please follow the university’s advice and attend the designated location on campus for assessment and antibiotics. https://blogs.kent.ac.uk/student-news/2026/03/15/urgent-meningococcal-meningitis-outbreak/
How should I manage close contacts?
- Seek advice regarding the management of close contacts of a case of bacterial meningitis or meningococcal disease from the regional health protection unit.
- Following confirmation of bacterial meningitis in secondary care, primary healthcare professionals may be involved in:
- Identifying contacts who are at risk.
- Reassuring people who may be in contact with the index case but do not require prophylactic treatment.
- Prescribing or supplying prophylactic treatments for at-risk groups.
- Be aware that bacterial meningitis and meningococcal disease are notifiable diseases.
- Inform close contacts that the risk to a contact is low with meningococcal disease. The risk is highest in the first 7 days after a case is diagnosed and falls sharply thereafter. Prophylaxis or vaccination for close contacts is usually arranged by secondary care.
- Prophylaxis against meningococcal disease should be considered for the following close contacts, regardless of meningococcal vaccination status:
- People who have had prolonged close contact with the case in a household-type setting during the 7 days before onset of illness (for example, people who are living or sleeping in the same household, pupils in the same dormitory, boy/girlfriends, or university students sharing a kitchen in a hall of residence).
- People who have had transient close contact with a case only if they have been directly exposed to large particle droplets/secretions from the respiratory tract of a case around the time of admission to hospital.
- Antibiotic prophylaxis should be given as soon as possible (ideally within 24 hours) after the diagnosis of the index case.
Symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia
Symptoms can appear in any order and may worsen quickly. They can include:
- A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass
- Sudden high temperature (fever)
- Severe or worsening headache
- Stiff neck
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Joint or muscle pain
- Sensitivity to bright light
- Very cold hands and feet
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating
- Extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking
- Seizures
Not everyone will develop all symptoms, and they can progress rapidly.
When to seek urgent medical help
If you or someone you are with develops symptoms of meningitis or sepsis, seek urgent medical help.
- Call 999 immediately or attend your nearest Emergency Department.
- Do not wait for all symptoms to appear.
- If you are unsure whether symptoms are serious, call NHS 111 for advice.
Vaccination
There is no additional vaccination programme currently recommended beyond the standard NHS schedule.
However, young people who missed their MenACWY vaccination (usually given in the teenage years) can still receive it up to age 25.
If you think you missed this vaccine, please contact the surgery or submit an online consultation so we can arrange vaccination if appropriate.
Kind regards,
Abigail Bowles | Assistant Practice Manager |The Chestnuts Surgery
70 East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 4RU
T: 01795 423197 / F: 01795 430179 | abigailbowles@nhs.net / secretary.thechestnutssurgery@nhs.net
Urgent: meningococcal meningitis outbreak – Student News
A post from Miriam Sandiford on Student News provided by: https://blogs.kent.ac.uk/student-news
