Frightened students at Kent University are lining up for urgent antibiotics and promptly boarding buses to return home.
Amid concerns about contracting meningitis, many students are opting to leave and join their families across the UK. Some have been observed waiting for buses with their luggage. Ethan Norris, 24, a housekeeping department worker at Tyler Court, and Nancy O’Sullivan, 23, a primary school teacher from Hornchurch, Essex, queued up to receive their medication.
Expressing her concerns, Nancy stated: “I’ve been watching social media videos of people being evacuated in the middle of the night. Students with suitcases are now boarding buses.”
“They are collecting their antibiotics and departing. Exams have been called off. What we are witnessing is numerous university students packing up hastily due to the sudden emergence of this situation. The fear is palpable as students are reluctant to remain on campus, uncertain about the extent of the spread. It’s truly a terrifying situation.”
Ethan added: “I witnessed a student being taken out on a stretcher from one of the blocks. We waited for more than an hour and 40 minutes for our antibiotics. We’ve heard about two fatalities, so taking this precaution was necessary. It’s quite alarming.”
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported 13 cases showing signs of meningitis from Friday to Sunday in the Canterbury area of Kent. Some University of Kent students have received antibiotics, while others are currently hospitalized. The specific strain of meningitis has not been identified yet.
Thomas Ibbotson, a third-year student studying Business and Spanish, indicated that the outbreak originated from a Fresher’s event attended by both university students and local sixth formers. Concerns have been raised about friends who are currently hospitalized.
Thomas explained: “The most vulnerable are freshers who attended this particular event. They began at a house party and later moved to Club Chemistry. University communications have highlighted Club Chemistry visits on Friday and Saturday as high-risk activities.”
“Upon returning to the accommodation, the virus spread. Although I don’t reside in the affected block, I live near Tyler Court where there has been a confirmed case, causing significant concern.”
“I’m heading home to ensure my safety by receiving antibiotics. However, the efficiency of the university’s response is questionable given the long queue times of up to 40 minutes. Notifications were distributed, stating that individuals who spent time in affected areas or had contacts in the affected blocks should collect antibiotics at the Senate.”
<p class="Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh " data-tmdatatrack="content-unit" data-tmdatatrack
