Two young women have died in a meningitis outbreak in England that health officials say is linked to a nightclub in Kent. According to reports, 18-year-old Juliette from Faversham, Kent, died on Saturday after contracting meningitis. A 21-year-old woman has also died in the outbreak.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has identified the meningit B variant in several cases, according to Sky News. Health Secretary Wes Streeting reportedly described the outbreak as "unprecedented" in the country and said the situation is "developing rapidly."
I cannot imagine what the families are going through.
Authorities suspect the infection can be traced to a nightclub in Kent, with approximately 2,000 visitors being urged to collect antibiotics as a precautionary measure. The nightclub has closed temporarily and will maintain ongoing communication with UKHSA during the contact tracing process.
Louise Jones-Roberts, the club owner, told the BBC that while the venue has an ID scanner for security purposes, she expressed support for the affected families, stating, "I cannot imagine what the families are going through."
more than devastated
At least 13 people have been hospitalized with serious illness from the outbreak, which primarily affected those who visited the nightclub during the first week of March. Juliette's family described themselves as "more than devastated" and said they "have no words to express their loss." Her school principal remembered her as a "genuinely thoughtful, attentive listener and a true friend."
have no words to express their loss
a genuinely thoughtful, attentive listener and a true friend