Meningitis Outbreak Rocks UK University: 2 Deaths, Thousands Vaccinated

• A meningitis outbreak in Kent, England, has led to the deaths of a university student and a school pupil, prompting urgent public health interventions.
• UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the outbreak as unprecedented, with 20 cases confirmed by Tuesday, up from five on Friday.
• Thousands of students at the University of Kent are receiving antibiotics and vaccinations against the identified bacterial strain.
• Meningitis, an infection of brain and spinal cord membranes, can be life-threatening and lead to limb amputations; the current outbreak is bacterial.
• The outbreak is linked to a Canterbury nightclub, Club Chemistry, with antibiotics prescribed to visitors from March 5-7, and a meningitis B vaccine offered to students.