A sixth form student who died following an outbreak of meningitis in Kent has been named as Year 13 pupil, Juliette.
The Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham released a statement with the update. She is understood to have passed away on Saturday.
The school’s headteacher Mrs Amelia McIlroy, said: “It is with great sadness that we are confirming the loss of Juliette, a much loved and treasured member of our school community. Juliette was a student at our school for seven years.
“She was incredibly kind, thoughtful and intelligent and she loved our school and was very happy here.
Juliette was a Year 13 student at The Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham. Credit: PA
“Juliette embraced everything that school had to offer with great enthusiasm and joy and her humour and positivity were captivating.
“She was a genuinely caring and attentive listener, a true friend – who listened with warmth, respect and sincere interest to her peers and to our staff.
“In short, she was a lovely girl – her beautiful smile, her loving nature and her sense of fun will be hugely missed. We are all devastated. Our love and thoughts are with her family and friends at this terribly sad time.
“Our priority now is the safety and well-being of all members of our school community and we are continuing to work closely with UKHSA.”
You can read more about the advice issued regarding the signs of meningitis and sepsis here.
It follows the death of a Kent University student, which was confirmed by the institute on Sunday night.
A spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that one student from the University of Kent has died following a case of invasive meningitis.
“Our thoughts are with the student’s family, friends and the wider university community at this extremely difficult time.
“The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. We are working closely with public health teams and are in touch with staff and students to ensure they get the advice and support they need. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep our community informed.
“We recognise that this is a very sad and worrying time for our community and we are doing everything we can to offer advice and support.
Students queuing for antibiotics outside a building at the University of Kent in Canterbury. Credit: PA
“This is a regional public health matter and not specific to the University. The response is being led by the UKHSA and we are working with them and partners as the situation unfolds.
“Known contacts of existing cases in our community have been contacted and advised on next steps. Students impacted are being offered antibiotic treatment on our Canterbury campus.
“We have contacted all our students and staff to ensure they have all the latest advice and support they need, and we will continue to update via email and social media.
“As a further precautionary measure there will be no in person assessments or exams this week – students have been contacted directly with details on alternative arrangements.”
Trish Mannes, UKHSA Regional Deputy Director for the South East, explains that there’s a stockpile of antibiotics for outbreaks like the incident in Kent
More than 30,000 young people are being contacted in the Canterbury area following the meningitis outbreak.
It’s understood that there have been 14 confirmed cases of meningitis, including the two people who died.
The specific strain of meningitis has not yet been identified.
A local nightclub – Club Chemistry – in Canterbury, said it has been contacted by officials to try and trace people who may be affected.
Its owner, Louise Jones-Roberts, said one of their staff members has been confirmed as positive for meningitis and has been treated in hospital.
There are 95 other staff members at the club who are in the process of being given a precautionary antibiotic.
Louise added that the club will be closing for the rest of the week.
The owner of Club Chemistry said it was closing for the rest of the week following the deaths of two young people. Credit: PA
Club Chemistry said in a Facebook post on Monday afternoon: “We’ve made the decision to close the venue for the rest of this week.
“While we haven’t been directed to do so, the safety and wellbeing of our community, our guests and our staff comes first – always.
“We know this news may be worrying and we are working closely with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
“We will share updates as soon as we have them.”
A UKHSA spokesperson said it was arranging antibiotics for some students in the Canterbury area following the outbreak.
The organisation said it is working with the University of Kent to “provide advice letters to all 16,000 students, advising on recent cases, signs and symptoms, how to obtain antibiotics, and what to do if they feel unwell.”
Anyone who visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury last weekend is being asked to come forward for preventative antibiotic treatment.
Trish Mannes, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) regional deputy director for the South East, said: “Our investigations have identified that some cases visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury and it is important that anyone who visited the club between March 5 and 7 now comes forward for preventative antibiotic treatment as a precaution, as well as those offered antibiotics at the university – these students are being contacted directly through the university.
“If you think you may have symptoms of meningitis, don’t hesitate to seek medical help by contacting your GP or calling NHS 111.”
Long queues of people waiting for antibiotics have continued to snake around the University of Kent campus, following the death of a student from the illness.
Many people are wearing face masks and social distancing, in scenes similar to that of the Covid pandemic.
Not all 16,000 students at the university will be given antibiotics.
The UKHSA said it has given the medication to 1,300 individuals, as of Monday night.
Three alternative sites in the wider community are also now equipped to administer antibiotics.
Senate Building, University of Kent, CT2 7NZ – open from 9am to 8pm.
Gate Clinic, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury CT1 3NG – open from 8.30am.
Thanet Community Health Hub, Northwood Road, Broadstairs, CT10 2WA – open from 8.30am to 8pm (last patient 7.30pm)
Westgate Hall, Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2BT – open from 8.30am to 7.30pm
You can read more about the advice issued to University of Kent students here.
Amira Campbell, president of the National Union of Students, said: “We are saddened to hear of the deaths, those who are hospitalised and the young people who are unwell.
“Our thoughts are with their family, friends and everyone at the University of Kent.
“We encourage everyone who is concerned to follow the advice being shared by health professionals.
“There is simply not enough awareness of meningitis, especially as young people head off to university.
“While we all expect the inevitable freshers flu, there are deadly viral strains also circulating, which students need to be protected against and aware of.”
A case of meningitis has been confirmed in a student at The Norton Knatchbull School in Ashford.
Headteacher, Ben Greene, sent the following update to parents: “We are writing to update you following our earlier communication regarding the student in year 13 who had been admitted to hospital with a suspected case of meningitis.
“We have now been informed that the diagnosis has been confirmed and the student is receiving appropriate hospital treatment.”
It added: “We understand that this news may heighten concern within our community. We want to reassure you that we remain in close contact with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and their advice to the school has not changed.”
The notice said the wider school community does not need any additional measures beyond being vigilant for symptoms.
Face masks are given out to students as they queue for antibiotics outside a building at the University of Kent in Canterbury. Credit: PA
A Canterbury school has advised parents on the symptoms of meningitis to look out for following the outbreak in Kent.
In a letter to parents, Barton Court Grammar School headteacher, Jonathan Hopkins, wrote: “We are aware that some sixth-form students socialise with friends from other schools in the local area and may have visited venues in the city in recent weeks.
“At this time, we have not been informed that any Barton Court students have been diagnosed with meningitis.
“We will be contacting the UKHSA South East health protection team to register our concern and seek their guidance, and we will act immediately on any advice they provide.”
The letter lists symptoms of meningitis to watch out for and advises what to do if any appear.
“I understand that this will be worrying for many of you. While cases such as this remain rare, awareness of the symptoms and acting quickly are the best protection,” the letter added.
Helen Whately, MP Conservative for Faversham and Mid Kent has told ITV Meridian parents are extremely concerned: “It’s clearly very worrying for parents. I think the community locally is reeling with the shock of it.
“It’s come so much out of the blue. You just don’t expect this to affect school kids. So that’s hitting people really hard. I’ve been talking to parents with children at QE Grammar School and how they’re feeling.
“Children in other years are still going into school but very much wanting reassurance and wanting to know the risks are being looked at and their children will be safe.”
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