A meningitis outbreak in Kent has grown to nine confirmed cases, with health officials investigating a further 11 possible infections as efforts continue to contain the spread.
Two young people have died, including an 18-year-old sixth-form student named Juliette and a University of Kent student whose identity has not been released.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed that at least six of the cases are meningitis B, a bacterial strain of the disease. Five schools in the Kent area have also reported cases among their students.
Health officials believe the outbreak is linked to a nightclub in Canterbury, Club Chemistry, with all confirmed cases currently associated with the venue. Anyone who attended the club between 5 and 7 March has been urged to seek preventative antibiotics from local clinics or their GP.
Close contacts of those infected are also being traced and offered treatment. The Health Secretary has said around 2,500 people have already received antibiotics as a precautionary measure.
A targeted vaccination programme is expected to begin, with plans to administer MenB vaccines to approximately 5,000 students at the University of Kent.
Despite the increase in cases, officials have said the risk of wider spread across the UK remains low. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether the available vaccines match the specific strain involved in the outbreak.