Shut contacts of individuals linked to the outbreak within the London commuter city are being supplied antibiotics as a precaution.
This is every part we all know in regards to the outbreak:
What do we all know in regards to the instances?
Two sufferers being handled for the illness attend Studying Blue Coat Faculty and Highdown Secondary Faculty and Sixth Type Centre, the UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) has mentioned.
Shut contacts of the scholars have been supplied antibiotics as a precaution.
“Pricey sufferers. Now we 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 resulting from an in depth affiliation with the coed concerned.
“You probably have not been contacted by the UK Well being Safety Company, then presently you don’t require any remedy. Workers and college students have been suggested they’ll attend the school as normal.
“The variety of confirmed instances could be very low so there are presently no plans for an area emergency meningitis vaccination programme.”
Henley School, 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 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 specialists say?
The UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) mentioned threat to the general public presently 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, marketing consultant in well being safety, mentioned: “We perceive that many individuals shall 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 in regards to the probability of additional instances, nevertheless meningococcal meningitis requires very shut contact to unfold and enormous outbreaks as we noticed in Kent not too long ago 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 govt Dr Tom Nutt mentioned: “Everybody at Meningitis Now’s deeply saddened and anxious to listen to studies of a suspected outbreak of meningitis affecting younger individuals in Studying and the encircling space, together with the tragic dying of an adolescent.
“We’d 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 remedy are completely 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, mentioned: “Whereas there are not any reported instances amongst College of Studying college students, I do know that our college students, workers and members of the family could also be involved.
“We shall be contacting college students to remind them of present 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 robust” 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 will 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 stress,” 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, tons of of individuals got the MenB vaccine or antibiotics to stem the unfold of the bug within the Kent outbreak.
