Meningitis in the UK: a reminder to our University community

Released: 23.03.26

We know that many of you may have seen news reports about cases of meningitis affecting students at the University of Kent. We understand that news like this can feel worrying, so we wanted to share some reassurance and information with our community.

The UK Health Security Agency have stated that the risk of meningitis outside the Kent population is low, and vaccination programmes are being targeted specifically in the Kent/Canterbury area. You can stay up to date on the latest information about the outbreak in Kent here.

At this time, there are no known cases of meningitis at Marjon. We are continuing to monitor the situation and remain mindful of relevant health guidance to ensure our campus stays safe. While the risk remains low, we will continue to monitor the situation over the coming weeks and ask all members of our University community to remain vigilant and aware of the early symptoms of Meningitis

Meningitis is rare, but it is important to know the signs and act quickly if you are concerned.

Symptoms can include:

• A high temperature (fever)
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Sensitivity to light
• Nausea or vomiting
• Drowsiness, confusion, or difficulty waking
• Cold hands and feet, limb pain, pale or mottled skin
• A rash that does not fade when pressed (in some cases)

Symptoms can appear in any order and may get worse quickly.

If you, or someone you are with, feels seriously unwell or shows symptoms of meningitis

It’s important to seek medical help immediately. NHS advice on what to do states:

• Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E immediately if you think you or someone you look after could have meningitis or sepsis.
• Trust your instincts and do not wait for all the symptoms to appear or until a rash develops. Someone with meningitis or sepsis can get a lot worse very quickly.
• Call NHS 111 for advice if you're not sure if it's anything serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis.
• If you've had medical advice and are still worried or any symptoms get worse, get medical help again.
• If Meningitis is confirmed, please inform the University as soon as possible.

Meningitis vaccinations

If you’d like to know more about vaccinations for Meningitis, please read the NHS guidance or contact your GP surgery to find out what vaccinations you have already had.

Support and looking after each other

If you’re worried or want some advice, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Student Wellbeing & Support, The Chaplaincy or your own support network. The latest information for students and contact details can be found on the MyMarjon website.

Thank you for your continued care and consideration for one another.