Meningitis alert in southern England, due to an outbreak of an as yet undetermined strain recorded between the University of Kent (in the county of the same name) and a nearby secondary school, in Faversham, near Canterbury.
British health authorities have announced that two young people have died from the infection, a 21-year-old university student and an 18-year-old in his final year of school, while 11 others are hospitalized in serious condition with "meningococcal syndrome" that has also degenerated into sepsis.
To contain the risks, the same authorities announced today, in agreement with the government, widespread precautionary checks throughout the affected area. So far, more than 30,000 people have been contacted and advised to undergo preventive testing.
National Health Service (NHS) doctors are appealing for people to stay informed and not panic, evoking a limited scenario for now. According to the BBC, local residents suspect the bacteria may have spread from a nightclub frequented by young people, where some of the students who were subsequently hospitalized are believed to have partied in recent days.
The University of Kent has already suspended all exams, as well as canceling a number of events as a precaution and to minimize contact.
(Unioneonline/vl)
