Shut contacts of individuals linked to the outbreak within the London commuter city are being supplied antibiotics as a precaution.
This 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 mentioned.
Shut contacts of the scholars have been supplied antibiotics as a precaution.
“Expensive sufferers. We now have been in touch with the UK Health Safety Company this morning (14th Might) concerning the very unhappy information {that a} pupil at Henley School has died with suspected meningococcal illness,” the Hart Surgical procedure mentioned in a press release on Thursday night.
“They’ve confirmed that they’re actively contacting those that could also be in danger as a consequence of a detailed affiliation with the coed concerned.
“When you’ve got not been contacted by the UK Well being Safety Company, then at present you don’t require any therapy. Workers and college students have been suggested they will attend the school as ordinary.
“The variety of confirmed instances could be very low so there are at present no plans for an area emergency meningitis vaccination programme.”
Henley School, in Henley-on-Thames, is a sixth-form school with greater than 2,000 full-time college students which teaches greater than 60 A-level topics and vocational diplomas, in response to 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) mentioned threat to the general public at present stays low.
In a press release issued on Thursday, the UKHSA mentioned 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, mentioned: “We perceive that many individuals will probably be affected by this unhappy information and wish to supply our condolences to the family and friends of this pupil.
“College students and workers will naturally be feeling frightened concerning the probability of additional instances, nevertheless meningococcal meningitis requires very shut contact to unfold and enormous outbreaks as we noticed in Kent just lately are fortunately uncommon.
“We’re working intently with companions and have offered public well being recommendation and precautionary antibiotic therapy to shut contacts of the instances.
“Meningococcal illness doesn’t unfold simply and the chance to the broader public stays low.”
Meningitis Now’s chief govt Dr Tom Nutt mentioned: “Everybody at Meningitis Now could be deeply saddened and anxious to listen to studies of a suspected outbreak of meningitis affecting younger individuals in Studying and the encompassing space, together with the tragic demise of a teenager.
“We might urge individuals to stay vigilant and conscious of the indicators and signs of the illness. Meningitis can grow to be life-threatening in a short time and early analysis and therapy 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 providers on the College of Studying, mentioned: “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 looking 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 demise, 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 embrace a excessive temperature, extreme headache, vomiting, stiff neck, sensitivity to gentle, confusion, drowsiness, chilly arms and toes, extreme muscle ache, and a rash that doesn’t fade underneath strain,” in response to Dr Nutt.
“Youngsters and younger adults are among the many teams most in danger from meningococcal illness, and the current outbreak in Kent has proven how shortly instances can emerge,” he added.
In March, a whole lot of individuals got the MenB vaccine or antibiotics to stem the unfold of the bug within the Kent outbreak.
