Meningitis Outbreak That Has Killed Two Young People Linked To ‘Club Chemistry’ In Kent

A meningitis outbreak linked to a nightclub in Cantebury, Kent, has killed two young people and left 11 others seriously ill.

The victims, who have not been named, were a 21-year-old student at the University of Kent and a 17-year-old sixth-form pupil at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in nearby Faversham.

The 11 who are seriously ill are also all students in the area.

One person told MailOnline that their friends began to experience symptoms after going to Club Chemistry in Canterbury on Friday. She said one of her two friends is now in a coma.

The teen said: ‘My pal went out for her birthday with her partner and a few friends. The plan was to go clubbing and have a nice time, as teenagers do.

‘She simply wanted a nice evening with her friends for her birthday, but after attending Club Chemistry, came out really ill in the coming days – which ended with some in hospital.’

Both the University of Kent (above) and Club Chemistry have put out statements urging students to go to the campus Senate building for antibiotics if they believe they’ve come into contact with anyone who has meningitis.

Trevor Reid of charity Meningitis Now said: ‘This is not the type level of cases we have heard of for many, many years. It is very rare that we would see anything like this and we are extremely concerned.’

Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, with the worst outcomes including brain damage, hearing loss, or death if not treated promptly.

Common symptoms include a high fever, headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion, and in severe cases, seizures.

The MenB vaccine – the only protection against the bacteria – is only available on the NHS for young children, as they are seen as the most at risk. This protects for a couple years, with a booster or vaccine available for older kids at around £220 privately.

Surprisingly, the University of Kent and Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School have chosen to remain open despite the deaths of two students and others falling ill. It seems like it’s business as usual for Club Chemistry though, at least for now.

Still, something tells me lecture/seminar attendance will be way down in Canterbury this week and ditto for the Club Chemistry nights.

RIP to the students that passed and speedy recovery to the others infected. Stay safe out there.

For the anti-vaccine parents whose child died after they tried to cure meningitis with maple syrup, click HERE.