The total number of meningitis cases in Kent has risen from 15 to 20, as an infection has been found in London. The government has declared an urgent public health alert following what has been described as an unprecedented and explosive outbreak of meningitis. All doctors in England have been warned to watch for meningitis symptoms.
The vaccination programme for students began at the University of Kent’s campus in Canterbury although it will take around four weeks for full immunity to build. So far, 6,500 people have been given antibiotics as a precaution.
Health commentators have fears that students in Kent who travelled home for Mother’s Day may have spread meningitis, after a case was confirmed in London and the outbreak was declared a ‘national incident.
Meanwhile in Kent, the university has taken some precautionary measures, such as cancelling most/all of the Student’s Union related activities, however, they are simultaneously hosting The Canterbury Festival, a leading Arts festival, which is still going ahead. The festival is taking place between 19th and 22nd of March and measures have been taken due to the outbreak, as follows:
- The Augustine Hall will be used for all events and capacity has been capped at 50%, ensuring that audiences are able to leave gaps between seats.
- The café will be closed but audiences are welcome to bring bottled water to the event.
- The auditorium will be open 30 minutes before each event to minimise queueing.
- The Augustine Hall facilities team will be maintaining the highest levels of cleaning standards throughout the event.
- Audiences and staff may prefer to wear masks…
Many students have criticised what they see as double standards by the university during this period to go ahead with a major festival and are unhappy with how the situation has been handled. There will be hundreds of people coming over from all corners of the country to attend the event at the library of a university currently dealing with a viral outbreak.
Students feel that the University are trying to underplay the situation and that people who attend the festival event could spread meningitis across the country.
