Campus felt 'ghostly' after meningitis outbreak

A Jersey student said his campus in Kent became "ghostly" following an outbreak of meningitis.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) described the outbreak at the University of Kent as a national incident after two students died, with latest figures confirming some 20 cases of meningitis reported.

Christian Lotz, 18, a first-year student at the university, said: "It was almost like Covid again - everyone was distancing themselves".

The former De La Salle pupil queued for 40 minutes to receive an antibiotic, before starting his journey home to Jersey.

He told the BBC: "It all happened so fast" and described how "everyone is very cautious or they've left for home".

Jersey health authorities advised eligible people to get themselves vaccinated against meningitis.

Lily McGarry had all of her limbs amputated after contracting the disease.

She echoed calls for people to be vaccinated, adding the importance of having "the greatest uptake possible" among children, as part of the childhood immunisation programme.

She said she would also like to see young people being offered the vaccine.

"If we fail as a society to keep the vaccination rates high, then outbreaks like this will unfortunately happen again."

Public Health officials in Jersey and Guernsey said students and young adults should check that they are up-to-date with routinely recommended vaccinations.

Officials in Guernsey said local students at the university should follow the official UK guidance, while the Public Health team in Jersey offer support, help or guidance to students who have returned home.

Guernsey GP Dr Nick Dunn said meningitis was very rare but advised people to look out for the "red flag combination of symptoms" - fever, neck stiffness, headache and lethargy or confusion - and to seek urgent treatment.

He said other symptoms included becoming unwell, looking lethargic or very pale and high or low heartbeat with laboured breathing.

The meningitis vaccine is available for free up to the age of 25.

Local health services advised anyone unsure about their vaccination status to contact the Immunisation Team or their GP practice for advice.

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