University meningitis case is off-campus student

A case of meningitis has been identified in a postgraduate student who is living off campus, the University of Surrey has said.

Students and staff are being urged to be vigilant for symptoms of the infection, while the university said it was working closely with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which is leading the response.

The UKHSA said on Sunday that it was working to arrange preventative antibiotics and vaccinations for close contacts, adding that there was no evidence that the case was linked to any previous infections or outbreaks.

Earlier this year, two people died in a meningitis outbreak in Kent.

"The UKHSA will be in touch directly with a small number of close contacts likely to need preventative antibiotics," the university said.

"In the absence of any further developments, the advice is to combine vigilance with calm."

Jaime Morgan, from UKHSA South East, said that while news of meningococcal infection "could be concerning", meningococcal meningitis required very close contact to spread.

Students have been advised to be aware of symptoms and to seek medical advice if concerned.

Morgan said that signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and sepsis could include a fever, headache, neck stiffness, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting and cold hands and feet.

"Sepsis can also cause a characteristic rash that does not fade when pressed against a glass," she added.

Ben Fisher, a second-year politics student, told BBC Radio Surrey: "It's obviously not great when we received the university's email about the confirmed meningitis case.

"I think everyone's a little bit paranoid about it at the moment because they had all the other cases in Kent."

He added: "I think everyone is still traumatised from Covid."

Abigail Cook, a postgraduate student studying chemistry, said that she was "not to worried" about the meningitis case, as it was end of term.

"I've had a lot of vaccines, including the ACWY," she added.

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