The UK Health Security Agency is continuing to investigate an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Kent.
No new cases have been confirmed since yesterday’s update.
As of 12.30pm on 23 March, 20 laboratory cases are confirmed and 3 notifications remain under investigation, bringing the total to 23.
So far, over 2,500 doses of prophylactic antibiotics have been given to students, close contacts and others including some of those who attended local nightclub venue Club Chemistry between 5 and 7 March, when a number of the cases are known to have been present there.
As an additional precautionary measure, given the severity of the outbreak, a targeted vaccination programme will begin, starting with students that are residents of the Canterbury Campus Halls of Residence at the University of Kent, who will be contacted directly. Initially, it’s expected that up to 5,000 students will be contacted and offered the vaccine. UKHSA will continue to assess ongoing risk to other groups and the programme may be extended.
This is a rapidly evolving situation and there may be further cases as those with symptoms are encouraged to seek medical advice.
Regular updates are being published online here with the latest information.
