Kent meningitis outbreak: a timeline of the health authorities’ response | Meningitis
Two young people have died in a meningitis outbreak in Kent as private supplies of vaccines run out. Here’s what we know about how the disease spread and what authorities did to deal with it.
March 5-7
All cases of the meningitis outbreak are linked to those who attended Club Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury, Kent, on March 5, 6 or 7. The club has since closed voluntarily. Anyone who attended the club on those dates or thought they may have been in close contact with someone who was was asked to take up the offer of antibiotics.
Friday March 13
The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) is informed of the first case of diagnosed meningitis: a student at the University of Kent. Health officials are beginning to identify and trace the patient’s immediate close contacts. They are all offered prophylactic antibiotics.
Saturday March 14
French authorities are alerting the UKHSA of a second confirmed case in France involving an individual who attended the University of Kent. The two original cases lived in private accommodation, but there is no apparent connection between the two.
7 p.m. March 14
Hospitals are reporting a number of seriously ill young people, all with symptoms suggestive of meningococcal disease. Contact tracing of these individuals begins immediately. As of Tuesday, 700 doses of antibiotics had been administered.
10 a.m. Sunday March 15
The UKHSA is launching a large-scale response, including preparing for wider distribution of antibiotics across the university’s Canterbury campus. Around 5 p.m., distribution to students begins in two university residences.
6 p.m. Sunday March 15
A public health alert is issued as two people are confirmed to have died during the outbreak. It was later confirmed that one was a student at the University of Kent and the other in year 13 at a school in Faversham.
Monday March 16
UKHSA is contacting the principals of two schools where two cases have been identified involving sixth form pupils, including Faversham School where a pupil has died. Letters to parents are sent.
9:30 a.m. Tuesday March 17
The UKHSA confirms that tests show the outbreak is a meningitis B strain of bacteria known as MenB. Four of the first cases, including the two deaths, are identified as this strain and 11 additional cases are under investigation. The UKHSA also confirms that everyone born before 2015 has not received any MenB vaccine.
12:30 p.m. Tuesday March 17
UKHSA announces targeted MenB vaccination program for students living in halls of residence at the University of Kent, Canterbury. He says the program could be expanded later.
