Meningitis outbreak in Canterbury area

For the attention of all parents, particularly those with children in the sixth form

Dear Parents and Guardians,

You may have seen the details about the meningitis outbreak in the Canterbury area and the tragic news of the death of two young people and the hospitalisation of others. My thoughts are with all at those impacted by these terrible events.

I am writing to make sure you have accurate information and know what action to take.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed today that there has been an outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease in the Canterbury area, with 13 cases identified since Friday 13 March. The outbreak is linked to a social venue in Canterbury. We are aware that some of our sixth form students socialise in Canterbury and may have visited venues in the city in recent weeks. At this time, we have not been informed that any Langton Girls’ students have been diagnosed with meningitis.

We will be contacting the UKHSA South East Health Protection Team first thing today to register our concern and seek their guidance, and we will act immediately on any advice they provide.

There are some key symptoms to watch for as meningococcal disease can progress very quickly, but it is treatable with antibiotics if caught early. It is essential that you are aware of these symptoms. They can appear in any order, may not all be present, and can initially resemble a bad cold, flu, or even a hangover. The key symptoms include:

• A high fever

• A severe or worsening headache

• A stiff neck

• Sensitivity to bright light

• Drowsiness, confusion, or difficulty waking

• Nausea and vomiting

• Cold hands and feet, limb pain, or pale and mottled skin

• A rash of red or purple spots or blotches that does not fade when you press a glass against it

The glass test: Press the side of a clear glass firmly against the rash. If the spots do not fade and you can still see them through the glass, this may be a sign of meningococcal septicaemia. Call 999 immediately. On darker skin, check paler areas such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, inside the eyelids, or the roof of the mouth.

What to do if your child has symptoms — particularly a combination of fever, headache, and stiff neck, or a rash that does not fade — call 999 or go to your nearest A&E immediately. Do not wait for all symptoms to appear. Do not wait to see if they get better. Early treatment can be lifesaving.

If your child does not have symptoms but you are concerned, you can call NHS 111 for advice.

UKHSA advises that if a friend goes to bed feeling unwell, they should be checked on regularly. This is particularly important for young people who may dismiss early symptoms as a hangover or cold. Further information NHS meningitis symptoms page: Meningitis - NHS

UKHSA is leading the public health response to this outbreak and is working with the NHS to identify and treat close contacts. If we receive any information that is relevant to Langton students or families, we will share it with you immediately. I understand that this will be worrying for many of you. While cases such as this remain rare, awareness of the symptoms and acting quickly are the best protection.

Kind regards,

Paul Pollard