Shut contacts of individuals linked to the outbreak within the London commuter city are being provided antibiotics as a precaution.
Here is all the pieces we all know concerning the outbreak:
What do we all know concerning the instances?
Two sufferers being handled for the illness attend Studying Blue Coat College and Highdown Secondary College and Sixth Kind Centre, the UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) has stated.
Shut contacts of the scholars have been provided antibiotics as a precaution.
“Expensive sufferers. We have now been involved with the UK Health Safety Company this morning (14th Might) concerning the very unhappy information {that a} pupil at Henley Faculty has died with suspected meningococcal illness,” the Hart Surgical procedure stated in an announcement on Thursday night.
“They’ve confirmed that they’re actively contacting those that could also be in danger because of a detailed affiliation with the coed concerned.
“You probably have not been contacted by the UK Well being Safety Company, then at present you don’t require any remedy. Employees and college students have been suggested they will attend the school as common.
“The variety of confirmed instances may be very low so there are at present no plans for an area emergency meningitis vaccination programme.”
Henley Faculty, in Henley-on-Thames, is a sixth-form faculty with greater than 2,000 full-time college students which teaches greater than 60 A-level topics and vocational diplomas, in keeping with its web site.”
College students queuing for vaccines on the College of Kent amid an outbreak of meningitis within the Canterbury space in March 2026
PA Wire
What do well being consultants say?
The UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) stated danger to the general public at present stays low.
In an announcement issued on Thursday, the UKHSA stated that its specialists had been “working with native authority and NHS companions following three instances of meningococcal an infection (meningitis) in younger individuals in Studying”.
Dr Rachel Mearkle, advisor in well being safety, stated: “We perceive that many individuals will probably be affected by this unhappy information and want to supply our condolences to the family and friends of this pupil.
“College students and workers will naturally be feeling anxious concerning the chance of additional instances, nonetheless meningococcal meningitis requires very shut contact to unfold and huge outbreaks as we noticed in Kent lately are fortunately uncommon.
“We’re working carefully with companions and have supplied public well being recommendation and precautionary antibiotic remedy to shut contacts of the instances.
“Meningococcal illness doesn’t unfold simply and the danger to the broader public stays low.”
Meningitis Now’s chief government Dr Tom Nutt stated: “Everybody at Meningitis Now could be deeply saddened and anxious to listen to experiences of a suspected outbreak of meningitis affecting younger individuals in Studying and the encompassing space, together with the tragic dying of a youngster.
“We’d urge individuals to stay vigilant and conscious of the indicators and signs of the illness. Meningitis can turn into life-threatening in a short time and early prognosis and remedy are completely very important.”
What is the response from Studying College?
The University of Reading confirmed on Thursday there have been no instances amongst college students on the establishment.
Dr Paddy Woodman, director of pupil companies on the College of Studying, stated: “Whereas there are not any reported instances amongst College of Studying college students, I do know that our college students, workers and relations could also be involved.
“We will probably be contacting college students to remind them of current details about searching for indicators of meningitis, and the significance of performing instantly on any worrying signs, in addition to checking their vaccination standing.”
Two college students died in a meningitis outbreak within the Kent space in March – 18-year-old Juliette Kenny, who was described by her household as “match, wholesome and powerful” earlier than her dying, and a College of Kent pupil.
Juliette Kenny (left) together with her father Michael, her sister Florence and her mom Rebecca
Meningitis Analysis Basis/PA Wire
What signs ought to I look out for?
Signs can seem in “any order” and should embody a excessive temperature, extreme headache, vomiting, stiff neck, sensitivity to gentle, confusion, drowsiness, chilly fingers and ft, extreme muscle ache, and a rash that doesn’t fade beneath stress,” in keeping with Dr Nutt.
“Youngsters and younger adults are among the many teams most in danger from meningococcal illness, and the latest outbreak in Kent has proven how shortly instances can emerge,” he added.
In March, lots of of individuals got the MenB vaccine or antibiotics to stem the unfold of the bug within the Kent outbreak.
