<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The UK has issued an urgent public health alert as a </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/uk-meningitis-university-of-kent-two-dead/2bb873ac-f036-4742-b52f-aaee4818c23e" rel="" target="_blank" title="deadly meningitis outbreak"><span>deadly meningitis outbreak</span></a><span> continues to grow in south-east England.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Students at the University of Kent queued around campus on Wednesday to receive vaccinations and antibiotics after one of their peers died earlier this week.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The outbreak has been identified as a known strain of meningitis B, which is typically spread by prolonged and close contact.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-march-19-donald-trump-officials-should-must-make-his-decisions-as-successful-as-possible-jd-vance-says-irans-new-supreme-leader-issues-a-rare-statement/db9709f9-041a-4e5d-a484-cec456ce469d" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Iran pledges to hit back over gas field attack</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The explosive outbreak is believed to have originated at a nightclub in Canterbury.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>At least 20 confirmed and suspected cases of the potentially life-threatening virus have been recorded in Kent over the last few days.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Two people have died: a University of Kent student, and a sixth former (high schooler) from nearby Faversham.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/uk-meningitis-outbreak-20-cases-two-dead/b61a997f-ac55-4180-92c2-696596255208" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>At least 11 others have been hospitalised.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Chief Executive, Susan Hopkins, told the </span><em><span>BBC</span></em><span> the organisation is trying to figure out how the virus spread so quickly.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/cheese-pulled-from-shelves-at-coles-iga-over-undeclared-allergen/e2b9331d-dda4-48b1-973c-a96713354c6b" target="_blank"><strong><span>Cheese pulled from shelves at Coles, IGA over undeclared allergen</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We see clusters all the time," Professor Paul Hunter at the Norwich School of Medicine, University of East Anglia told </span><em><span>The Guardian.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"What's unusual is the size of this cluster. That's the scary thing."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Vaccinations have been offered to about 5000 students at the University of Kent.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Students told the </span><em><span>BBC</span></em><span> some of their peers have packed up and fled the city.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Local pharmacies have reportedly started wait lists for locals seeking the meningitis vaccine.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>No cases have emerged yet that are not linked to the original cluster in Kent but health workers across England have been warned to look out for signs of infection.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-weather-news-tropical-low-could-develop-into-cyclone-off-the-far-north-coast-by-the-end-of-the-week/22d36efb-98ef-470e-99de-fe9a23cda346" target="_blank"><strong><span>Warning Cyclone Narelle 'may be biggest weather system in living memory'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Meningitis is a potentially deadly infection of the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> It's usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection and can spread through sneezing, coughing or kissing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Symptoms develop suddenly and can include fever, headache, a rash, neck stiffness, light sensitivity, drowsiness and seizures.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It can cause permanent brain and nerve damage, sepsis, or death if not treated quickly with antibiotics.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank" title=""><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>