A serious outbreak of meningococcal disease has struck Canterbury, Kent, claiming the lives of two young people and prompting emergency vaccination efforts. According to reports from Swedish media, the outbreak has affected 29 people, with two fatalities: an 18-year-old woman and a 21-year-old. The 18-year-old victim reportedly died just one day after first experiencing symptoms.
The outbreak has been traced to student events at Club Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury between March 5-7, which health officials have described as 'superspreader events.' In response, mass vaccination clinics have been established at the University of Canterbury campus, with thousands of students queuing for hours to receive vaccines. By Friday, March 21, approximately 4,500 vaccine doses had been administered.
It's a flashback to what happened to our family
Christine Bennborn, founder of Sweden's Meningokockfonden (Meningococcal Foundation), who lost her own 17-year-old son Mathias to the disease in 2019, expressed that news of the Kent outbreak brought back painful memories. 'It's a flashback to what happened to our family,' she told Aftonbladet.
University students described the situation as reminiscent of the COVID-19 pandemic, with one student noting, 'It feels like COVID all over again.' Health authorities have advised students planning to visit family to take preventive antibiotics first and to immediately call emergency services if any symptoms appear.
It feels like COVID all over again
The UK Health Security Agency has reportedly confirmed 18 laboratory-confirmed cases with 11 more under investigation. Health officials in Kent have requested additional vaccine doses from other parts of the country to meet demand.