2 dead, 11 hospitalised due to meningitis outbreak in Britain

The outbreak is believed to be linked to a nightclub in Canterbury. Read more at straitstimes.com.

An outbreak of a rare form of invasive meningitis at a university and three schools in Britain has killed two people and left 11 hospitalised.

This is believed to be linked to a nightclub in the city of Canterbury, just under one hour by train from the British capital of London, which then spread amongst the student population.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on the evening of March 16 it was continuing to investigate the outbreak after it detected 13 cases of invasive meningococcal disease, a combination of meningitis and septicaemia, between March 13 and March 15.

The disease is caused by meningococcal bacteria. It can cause inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, as well as blood infection.

While it can affect anyone, it most commonly afflicts infants, young children, teenagers and young adults.

One of the victims who died was a 21-year-old undergraduate from the University of Kent, while the other was an 18-year-old identified as Juliet.