Covid masks and an eerily silent campus: Inside Kent’s ‘worrying’ meningitis B outbreak
An eerie silence filled the campus as students queued outside the University of Kent Senate building.
Precautionary antibiotics are being rolled out for a second day after two people – a student at the university in Canterbury and a Year 13 student called Juliette from Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Faversham – died and a further 13 people were hospitalized following a meningitis outbreak in Kent.
The United Kingdom Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) confirmed on Tuesday that the meningitis B strain, known as menB, was behind at least four of the cases in the outbreak. The university described the situation as “very distressing and concerning.”
By 9 a.m., dozens of students were waiting to receive the medicine, and the mood in line was anxious.
Those waiting stood well apart from each other and wore face masks, which have not been seen en masse since the Covid outbreak. Those who did not have masks covered their faces with scarves and sweaters. Very few people were talking.
Exam season has started at the university, but since the outbreak, assessments have been moved online. The student union’s St. Patrick’s Day party had also been canceled, so the only real crowds on campus were those picking up their antibiotics.
Among them was Harvey Bennett, a 21-year-old cell biology graduate student from Deal.
He described the feeling on campus Independent: “I think there’s a little bit of tension, because frankly we’ve never experienced anything like this before.
“I thought about coming here today, better safe than sorry.”
But he was surprised by scenes reminiscent of the pandemic that greeted him in the Senate building.
She added: “I didn’t know everyone would be wearing face masks here so I came a little unprepared but luckily they were giving them out.
“It definitely feels like we’re back to Covid, which is weird.”
Zyren Distajo, 21, a sophomore biomedical science student, said some of her friends were sent into “hysteria.”
Ms. Distajo told Independent: “I have an immunology exam online today and the group chats have either turned into mass hysteria or people are saying, ‘Oh, it’s just like Covid.’
“It’s very interesting to go back to that kind of situation. But I think a lot of people are calming down because they realize that everybody being anxious isn’t going to do anything.”
Ms Distajo, from Grantham, believes the pandemic will have a knock-on effect on student behaviour.
People who visited Canterbury nightclub Club Chemistry on March 5, 6 or 7 have been urged by the UKHSA to take antibiotics as a “precautionary measure” amid the outbreak, and local authorities are working to trace attendees.
The UKHSA said students were particularly at risk of missing the early warning signs of meningitis because they could be easily confused with other illnesses such as a bad cold, flu or even a hangover.
Regarding this, Ms. Distajo said: “I’m in my second year. I’m less inclined to go to clubs anyway. Definitely the first year and the 13th grade are more out. And I think that culture is kind of ruined.”
“I think people will be less inclined to talk to strangers and go out.”
So far 700 doses of antibiotics have been distributed to people who may need them in the Canterbury region. The government has also announced a targeted vaccination program for University of Kent students, details of which will be announced in due course.
Wes Streeting told the House of Commons earlier on Tuesday that the outbreak was “unprecedented” and a “rapidly evolving situation”.
The health secretary also told MPs he was “confident” that the UKHSA had acted “as quickly and comprehensively as possible” in its response, having been too slow to act and inform the public following criticism.
Some students decided to evacuate campus and return home early for Easter. 24-year-old Malek, who did not want to give his last name, said he would go home after taking his antibiotics because he did not want to risk his parents.
Matthew McKeague, an 18-year-old first-year military history student from Hythe, also didn’t want the epidemic to spread any further.
He said: “I’m a commuter so it probably seems more important so I’m not at risk of the infection spreading outside Canterbury.”
Asked about the atmosphere among his peers, Mr McKeague added: “Obviously there’s a sense of anxiety. There’s no good time for this to happen, but with exams and homework and everything going on, it’s probably the worst time it could happen.”
“The only silver lining is that since the semester break is approaching, many students living on campus have gone home. So in that sense, there are fewer people around.”
University spokesperson said Independent: “We recognize this is a very distressing and worrying time for our community and we are doing everything we can to offer advice and support.
“This is a regional public health issue and is not specific to the university. The response is being led by UKHSA and we are working with them and our partners as the situation arises.
“Known contacts of current cases in our community have been contacted and advised on next steps. Affected students are being offered antibiotic treatment at our Canterbury campus.
“We have contacted all our students and staff to ensure they have the latest advice and support they need and will continue to update via email and social media.”
