An outbreak of Meningitis B in Kent has provoked a national response from UK health officials. University students are queuing to receive preventive antibiotics. Although the disease is rare overall, those affected are often babies or young people. This short video from the BBC explains what you need to know about meningitis.
What is meningitis?
CANTERBURY, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Staff and students, some wearing face masks, queue to receive antibiotics at the University of Kent in Canterbury after an outbreak of meningitis caused the deaths of two people, on March 16, 2026 in Canterbury, United Kingdom. Two people have died amid an outbreak of meningitis at the University of Kent in Canterbury. Thirteen cases have been reported since Friday, reportedly affecting university students aged between 18 and 21. Children and young people are the most at risk of the disease, often caused by a bacterial or viral infection, which leads to inflammation of the meninges, or protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is contacting 30,000 students and staff of the university to notify them of the outbreak. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)