NICK JOHNSON/BBCThe pupil was a Year 13 student at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar in FavershamA school pupil has been confirmed as the second person to have died following an outbreak of meningitis in Kent.Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Faversham said its sixth form pupil died on Saturday.The University of Kent said on Sunday that one of its students had also died after 11 people fell seriously ill following the outbreak of "invasive" meningitis in the Canterbury area.More than 30,000 students, staff and their families are being contacted by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to inform them of the situation.Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord and can be serious if not treated urgently.Amelia McIlroy, headteacher at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, said: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm that on Saturday one of our much loved students in Year 13, died of meningitis. "We are all absolutely devastated. Our love and thoughts are with their family and friends."Our priority now is the safety, well-being and support of all members of our school community at this terribly sad time. "We will be working with UKHSA to ensure that all appropriate actions are taken to protect our students and staff."Symptoms of meningitis and sepsis include:a high temperaturecold hands and feetvomitingconfusionbreathing quicklymuscle and joint painpale, mottled or blotchy skin (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin)spots or a rash (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin)headachea stiff necka dislike of bright lightsbeing very sleepy or difficult to wakefits (seizures)(Source: NHS)The BBC understands the outbreak is thought to be linked to a social event in Canterbury, which some of those who fell ill attended.In a message to students at the University of Kent, acting vice-chancellor Georgina Randsley de Moura said there would be no in-person assessments this week, but the campus would remain open.She said: "Events like this affect people in different ways, and I recognise that many of us will feel shocked, distressed or in need of support."PA MediaA University of Kent student has also diedA UKHSA spokesperson said it was arranging antibiotics for some students in the Canterbury area following the outbreak, and that the specific strain of the disease has not been identified.A letter from the UKHSA to University of Kent students and staff, seen by the BBC, said people living and working in certain blocks in the campus should receive antibiotics "without delay".Trish Mannes, UKHSA regional deputy director for the South East, said students can be at risk of missing symptoms due to being "easily confused with other illnesses such as a bad cold, flu or even a hangover".She added: "Students and staff will understandably be feeling worried about the risk of further cases; however, we would like to reassure them that close contacts of cases have been given antibiotics as a precautionary measure."Anyone becoming unwell with symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia is urged to go to their closest A&E department or call 999.Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.More on this storyUni student among two dead in Kent meningitis outbreakRelated internet linksUK Health Security AgencyUniversity of KentCanterburyMeningitisFaversham