School confirms pupil died in Kent meningitis outbreak

A school pupil has been confirmed as the second person to have died following an outbreak of meningitis in Kent.

Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Faversham said its sixth form pupil died on Saturday.

The University of Kent said on Sunday that one of its students had also died after 11 people fell seriously ill following the outbreak of "invasive" meningitis in the Canterbury area.

More than 30,000 students, staff and their families are being contacted by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to inform them of the situation.

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord and can be serious if not treated urgently.

Amelia McIlroy, headteacher at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, said: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm that on Saturday one of our much loved students in Year 13, died of meningitis.

"We are all absolutely devastated. Our love and thoughts are with their family and friends.

"Our priority now is the safety, well-being and support of all members of our school community at this terribly sad time.

"We will be working with UKHSA to ensure that all appropriate actions are taken to protect our students and staff."

Symptoms of meningitis and sepsis include:

• a high temperature
• cold hands and feet
• vomiting
• confusion
• breathing quickly
• muscle and joint pain
• pale, mottled or blotchy skin (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin)
• spots or a rash (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin)
• headache
• a stiff neck
• a dislike of bright lights
• being very sleepy or difficult to wake
• fits (seizures)

(Source: NHS)

The BBC understands the outbreak is thought to be linked to an event held at Club Chemistry in Canterbury.

Owner Louise Jones-Roberts says 95 of her staff have been given antibiotics as a precaution, and she has decided to temporarily close the venue.

"We're heartbroken," she said. "It's horrific to think of anyone going through that.

"There's no reason why we can't open, but I've made the decision we're going to close for now because I don't want anyone else to end up so poorly," she said.

"We're going to wait and see, they think they are going to have answers soon."

In a message to students at the University of Kent, acting vice-chancellor Georgina Randsley de Moura said there would be no in-person assessments this week, but the campus would remain open.

She said: "Events like this affect people in different ways, and I recognise that many of us will feel shocked, distressed or in need of support."

A UKHSA spokesperson says it is arranging antibiotics for some students in the Canterbury area following the outbreak, and the specific strain of the disease has not yet been identified.

A letter from the UKHSA to University of Kent students and staff, seen by the BBC, said people living and working in certain blocks in the campus should receive antibiotics "without delay".

Helen Whately, the Conservative MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, said she was expecting to be briefed later on Monday by the UKHSA.

"I'm trying to get information about what is being done locally to trace contacts and identify which students and school pupils are at risk," she said.

"I want schools to be given briefings on what steps they should take, and the advice to give to parents."

Trish Mannes, UKHSA regional deputy director for the South East, says students can be at risk of missing symptoms due to being "easily confused with other illnesses such as a bad cold, flu or even a hangover".

She added: "Students and staff will understandably be feeling worried about the risk of further cases; however, we would like to reassure them that close contacts of cases have been given antibiotics as a precautionary measure."

Anyone becoming unwell with symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia is urged to go to their closest A&E department or call 999.

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