The fatal meningitis B outbreak in Kent, centered around Canterbury’s Club Chemistry, has passed its peak with no new cases reported in over a week. The outbreak, which saw 20 confirmed cases and two deaths, is being contained by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) through targeted vaccinations and antibiotics.
The number of people affected remains at 29, of which 20 are confirmed and nine probable cases in what health officials say is an “explosive” outbreak – the biggest to occur in the UK in a generation.
Nineteen of the 20 confirmed cases were of meningitis B. The outbreak involves people who attended the Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury on 5, 6 and 7 March, including students from the city’s two universities.
The total number of cases has fallen from 34 on Friday to the 29 the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported on Sunday and Monday. Five cases were reclassified as a result of laboratory testing.
That number may fall further because more cases included in the 29 also look likely to be ”downgraded” and removed from the headline total.
The nightclub believed to be the centre of a fatal meningitis outbreak in Canterbury is planning to reopen on Thursday 2nd April. Club Chemistry said “While transmission between individuals could happen at any venue, it is not caused by the venue itself.”
