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The number of meningitis cases linked to the Kent outbreak has risen to 34 after five more were identified.
In an update on Saturday, the UK Health and Security Agency said the total number of confirmed and suspected cases had increased to 34, up from 29 on Friday.
Hundreds of students at the University of Kent joined queues to be vaccinated for the third day on Saturday, after two people died from the disease.
Health chiefs have suggested the peak of the outbreak, described as “unprecedented” because of the large number of cases linked to a “superspreader” event at a Canterbury nightclub, has passed, but said cases may continue to rise in the coming days.
However they warned “sporadic household cases” of meningitis B could spread outside the epicentre of the outbreak in Kent.
On Friday, Dr Anjan Ghosh, Kent County Council’s public health director, said it was most likely that it would be contained in Kent with a few additional cases outside of the county, “which can be easily contained”.
Officials said secondary cases could involve people who were not infected at the nightclub, but caught the illness from someone who was there.
Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
Meningitis affects around 2.3 million people globally every year. It’s estimated that up to one in every 10 cases of bacterial meningitis is fatal, according to the NHS.
There are many different causes of meningitis, including viruses, bacteria and fungi. However, in the UK, viruses and bacteria are the most common causes.
Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis. There are five main strains that cause the disease in the UK. MenB is the most common and also the deadliest.
Health officials have said that at least some cases of meningitis seen in Kent have been confirmed as meningitis B.
Early warning signs include a high temperature, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain and stomach cramps. As the condition develops, it can make people drowsy, irritable and confused, as well as cause severe muscle pain, pale, blotchy skin, spots or a rash, stiff neck, an aversion to bright lights and convulsions or seizures.
Meningitis Now urges people not to wait until someone develops a rash and to seek medical help if someone is ill and displaying these symptoms.
Amy-Clare Martin21 March 2026 16:40
WATCH: Towie star reveals he has meningitis in update from hospital bed
The 31-year-old TV star, who is expecting his first child with fellow Towie regular Sophie Kasaei, has said he is receiving around-the-clock care to monitor for any seizures, but said the swelling on his brain had worsened.
His condition is not connected to the outbreak of bacterial meningitis, which has killed two young people in Kent
Amy-Clare Martin21 March 2026 15:40
University of Kent student who survived meningitis infection ‘could not see or talk’
A University of Kent student who survived meningitis has revealed she could not see or talk as she battled the infection.
Law student Annabelle Mackay, 21, initially thought she had contracted Covid-19 when she started feeling unwell, but then her symptoms worsened.
Amy-Clare Martin21 March 2026 15:27
Recap: Meningitis cases rise to 34
The number of cases linked to the meningitis outbreak in Kent has risen to 34, up from 29 previously, as hundreds of students queued for a third day to get vaccinated.
Some 23 cases have been confirmed alongside a further 11 cases that “remain under investigation”, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in an update on Saturday morning.
Eighteen of the 23 confirmed cases are meningitis B. All cases have required hospital admission.
Two students have died in the outbreak. They are 18-year-old Juliette Kenny, who was described by her family as “fit, healthy and strong” before her death, and a University of Kent student.
Amy-Clare Martin21 March 2026 15:10
TOWIE star reveals he has been diagnosed with viral meningitis
The Only Way is Essex star Jordan Brook has revealed he is battling viral meningitis and encephalitis.
His case is not understood to be linked to the Kent outbreak, which involves a different strain of meningitis known as MenB.
In a video filmed from his hospital bed, the reality star said: “This is the first time I’ve really been able to speak strong enough about what’s going on.”
Addressing social media speculation about his condition, he continued: “I’ve been diagnosed with not one but two joining viruses that are attacking a similar part of my body. I have got viral meningitis and encephalitis together. That’s the inflammation of the brain and the lining around it.”
The 31-year-old, who is expecting a baby with his girlfriend Sophie Kasaei, added: “My focus right now is simple: I need to get healthy.
“My Sophie’s been amazing and she’s growing my precious baby boy. I just want to be a young, healthy dad, home for my family, with my baby – that’s the goal. This won’t beat me.”
Amy-Clare Martin21 March 2026 14:40
Who is eligible for the menB vaccine?
Health secretary Wes Streeting said the menB jab will be available to anyone who has previously been offered the antibiotics as part of this outbreak.
This includes students at the University of Kent and some students at Canterbury Christchurch University, as well as close contacts of confirmed or suspected cases.
The expansion will also include sixth form pupils at four schools where there are known or suspected cases of menB.
Amy-Clare Martin21 March 2026 14:10
More than 5,000 people vaccinated so far
NHS Kent and Medway said 5,841 vaccines had been administered, and 11,033 antibiotics handed out, in Kent as of 10.31am on Saturday.
There are currently six clinics across the county providing antibiotics and vaccines for eligible people.
Two students have died in the outbreak. They are 18-year-old Juliette Kenny, who was described by her family as “fit, healthy and strong” before her death, and a University of Kent student.
Students queuing for vaccinations (PA Wire)
Amy-Clare Martin21 March 2026 13:40
Outbreak survivor says she’s still suffering with after effects of meningitis
A Kent University meningitis survivor has said she feels “so grateful to be alive”, but is still dealing with the after-affect of the illness.
After initially thinking she had Covid, Annabelle Mackay started to become “delirious” and sensitive to light.
The 21-year-old told the BBC she eventually went to A&E, where she temporarily lost her sight and discovered she had meningitis.
She added: “I feel so grateful to be alive and to be here. I’m still dealing with the after effects now, but I think I just need to focus on my recovery and getting better and back to myself.”
Ms Mackay believes she contracted meningitis on 5 March at Club Chemistry, or possibly on an earlier evening when she was out at a different venue.
Amy-Clare Martin21 March 2026 13:10
Recap: Scientists say meningitis strain is not new variant
The Independent’s health reporter Rebecca Whittaker reports:
Scientists say the meningitis strain is not a new variant and may not have mutated into an “invasive strain”.
Professor Brendan Wren, Professor of Microbial Pathogenesis, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said: “The initial sequence data confirms that it is a single menB strain causing the current cluster of meningitis cases.
“The MenB ST-41/44 clonal complex has been previously identified in the UK and is not a new variant. This suggests that the strain has not mutated into a more invasive strain, but scrutiny of the full genome sequences and further studies will be required to confirm this.
“The current Bexsero MenB vaccine based on the cell surface antigens of MenB strains should provide protection against the MenB ST-41/44 variant.”
Amy-Clare Martin21 March 2026 12:40
In pictures: Hundreds of students queue for vaccine
More than 400 had joined the queue by the time the clinic opened at 9am on Saturday (Stanley Murphy-Johns/PA Wire)
Some said they were ‘worried’ about the outbreak (Stanley Murphy-Johns/PA Wire)
Officials have launched targeted vaccination program at the university (Stanley Murphy-Johns/PA Wire)
Amy-Clare Martin21 March 2026 12:10