Hundreds of face mask-wearing students queue after deadly meningitis outbreak | The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleDan HaygarthMonday 16 March 2026 16:56 GMTStudents queue for antibiotics at the University of Kent as two people die from meningitis in the areaAn outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease, with symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia, has led to 13 cases and two deaths in the Canterbury area of Kent.A Year 13 student from Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham and a University of Kent student have died following the outbreak.Students at the University of Kent queued for antibiotics in "Covid-esque" scenes, with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the university advising on symptoms and providing antibiotics to close contacts.The University of Kent has cancelled in-person assessments and exams for the week, and a Canterbury nightclub has closed after being contacted by the UKHSA regarding a diagnosed individual.The UKHSA is leading the response, and the incident highlights the risk of meningitis in young adults, with a mother whose daughter died from the disease calling for increased vaccination.In fullStudents in face masks queue in ‘Covid-esque’ scenes after two die in meningitis outbreakThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in