Nightclub customers urged to ‘come forward’ for treatment after meningitis outbreak

Health & Fitness
17 Mar 2026 • 4:20 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • An outbreak of meningitis in Kent has resulted in two deaths and 13 confirmed cases, prompting a public health alert.
  • The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging anyone who visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury on 5, 6, or 7 March to come forward for preventative antibiotic treatment.
  • Advice and antibiotic treatment have also been offered to 16,000 staff and students at the University of Kent, and three schools have reported confirmed cases.
  • One of the fatalities was a year 13 student from Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham, and the other attended the University of Kent.
  • The UKHSA advises immediate medical attention for symptoms such as fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, or a rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass.

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