Welsh students back from University of Kent advised to contact GP as Canterbury meningitis outbreak
Students from the University of Kent who have returned home to north Wales are being advised to contact their GP straight away for preventative antibiotics following an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Canterbury that has killed two people.
Public Health Wales is advising anyone who lived in campus accommodation at the University of Kent, or visited Club Chemistry nightclub between 5 and 7 March, and who has since returned to Wales to seek a prescription for antibiotics from their GP if they were not able to receive them before leaving Kent.
Wendi Shepherd, Deputy Director of Health Protection at Public Health Wales, said: “Our thoughts are with everyone involved with the meningitis outbreak in Kent, and we extend our sympathies to those affected.”
“As students from the University of Kent return home, it is important that they access preventative antibiotics if eligible, both to protect themselves and to prevent any transmission to others.”
“We are working with UKHSA to identify people who may be eligible for vaccination.”
The outbreak is caused by meningitis B, known as MenB.
The MenB vaccine is offered to infants through the routine NHS immunisation programme in Wales, covering children born on or after 1 September 2015, but it is not routinely offered to teenagers.
Most young people of university age born before 2015 will not have been vaccinated against this strain.
A separate vaccine covering meningitis types A, C, W and Y is offered to teenagers at around age 13 or 14, with catch-up vaccination available up to age 25.
Public Health Wales warns that vaccination does not protect against all strains of meningitis and that knowing the symptoms is essential, as the condition can worsen rapidly.
Symptoms can include fever, severe headache, vomiting, a stiff neck, a dislike of bright lights, confusion, being very sleepy or difficult to wake, and seizures.
A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass is also a symptom, but Public Health Wales advises not to wait for a rash to appear before seeking help.
Anyone with symptoms should call 999 immediately or go to the nearest accident and emergency department.
NHS 111 can be contacted for advice if someone is unsure whether their symptoms are serious.
GP surgeries in north Wales have been inundated with queries following the outbreak, according to the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
The UK Health Security Agency confirmed on 18 March that nine laboratory cases have been confirmed and 11 further notifications remain under investigation, bringing the total to 20. Two people have died.
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