The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is now treating the meningitis outbreak at the University of Kent as a national incident after deaths were recorded, with the number of cases expected to rise.
The agency is calling it an 'unprecedented' and 'explosive' outbreak as the disease spreads through the university. Thousands of students are being urged to get vaccinated against meningitis and take antibiotics. But what exactly is meningitis, and what measures can be taken to stay safe from this potentially deadly disease?
