UK meningitis outbreak sparks national health incident response

A meningitis outbreak in Kent (with cases also in London) has been upgraded to a national health incident after cases rose from 15 to about 20, many linked to Canterbury’s Club Chemistry. Officials warn of rapid, potentially super-spreader transmission, including the deaths of an 18-year-old sixth-form pupil and a 21-year-old University of Kent student, and a nine‑month‑old baby is critically ill. Authorities have distributed antibiotics to some 700 students and will offer MenB vaccination to about 5,000 Kent students while investigating the outbreak’s origin and whether a mutant MenB strain is involved. No school closures have been announced as containment efforts continue.