UK meningitis outbreak cases rise to 34: official

London: The number of meningitis cases reported in a deadly outbreak linked to a nightclub in southeast England rose from 29 to 34, including 23 confi...

London: The number of meningitis cases reported in a deadly outbreak linked to a nightclub in southeast England rose from 29 to 34, including 23 confirmed cases, UK health officials announced Saturday.

Hundreds of students queued for meningitis B vaccines at the University of Kent -- where several of the cases were reported -- on Saturday morning, after some had to be turned away the previous day.

In total, over 5,700 vaccines have been administered and over 11,000 antibiotics distributed in Kent, where the outbreak is centred, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.

Meningitis is a potentially deadly infection which can lead to sepsis if it affects the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Two people -- one university student and one schoolgirl -- have died in the outbreak which began just over a week ago, and has resulted in several other young people being hospitalised.