<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Two people have died in a meningitis outbreak in the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/uk" rel="" target="" title="UK"><span>UK</span></a><span> while another 11 people are in hospital.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A student at the University of Kent in south-east England is one of the two who have died, according to the </span><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxg35dv7npo" rel="" target="_blank" title=" BBC"><span>BBC</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Another 11 people from the Canterbury area are in hospital seriously ill, including more students aged 18 to 21, it reports.</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>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/oscars-2026-live-updates-98th-academy-awards-winners-results-surprises-biggest-moments-news-headlines/8d4b2289-f7a5-4cbd-b07a-c30354e585eb" rel="" target="" title="Oscars 2026 LIVE updates"><strong><span>Oscars 2026 LIVE updates</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More than 30,000 students, staff and their families are being contacted by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) over the outbreak.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It said it had provided antibiotics for invasive meningococcal disease, a combination of meningitis and septicaemia, reports </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/15/two-die-and-11-seriously-ill-in-meningitis-outbreak-at-university-of-kent" rel="" target="" title="The Guardian."><em><span>The Guardian</span></em><span>.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It issued a warning to other students.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/uk-meningitis-university-of-kent-two-dead/2bb873ac-f036-4742-b52f-aaee4818c23e" data-widget-id="AR_5"></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/lidcombe-shooting-man-gunned-down-in-early-morning-attack/12e37e53-717d-4703-bb88-cc33ac01d257"><strong><span>Man shot dead, another assaulted in 'targeted' attack in Sydney's west</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Trish Mannes, UKHSA south-east deputy director, told the paper: "We understand that many people at the university and in the wider community will be affected by this sad news and we would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family involved.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly, so it's essential that students and staff are alert to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Students are particularly at risk of missing the early warning signs of meningitis because they can be easily confused with other illnesses such as a bad cold, flu or even a hangover."</span></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-trump-netanyahu-how-long-will-the-war-last/3a066ef3-fe97-4b15-8222-982b2e91de3f"><strong><span>Australia responds after being snubbed in Trump's cry for help</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The university said it was "deeply saddened" by the students death.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Symptoms of meningococcal include:</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><span>Severe, unexplained limb pain</span></li><li><span>Difficulty waking up</span></li><li><span>High-pitched crying in babies</span></li><li><span>A severe headache</span></li><li><span>Being upset by bright lights</span></li><li><span>A stiff neck</span></li><li><span>A red-purple rash which doesn't disappear when pressed with a glass</span></li></ul></div></div>