A meningitis outbreak linked to a student nightclub has left two young people dead and more than a dozen others seriously ill – prompting urgent warnings from health officials.

The cluster is believed to involve meningococcal disease, a rare but potentially deadly bacterial infection that can cause meningitis – swelling of the lining around the brain and spinal cord – and life-threatening blood poisoning.

News of the outbreak has left worried students and parents scrambling for answers about their own risk, whether more people could fall ill and the warning signs to watch for.

The victims, thought to be aged between 17 and 21, include a University of Kent student and a sixth-form pupil at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in nearby Faversham. Several others were hospitalised after reportedly developing symptoms days after attending Club Chemistry in Canterbury.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has now alerted more than 30,000 students and staff in the area. Some people who may have been exposed are being offered precautionary antibiotics.

Meningococcal outbreaks are extremely rare. But the bacteria can spread through close contact – including coughing, kissing or sharing drinks – meaning infections can sometimes cluster where young people mix closely, such as universities, bars and nightclubs.

So could more cases emerge – and should people who were in the area be taking extra precautions?

Here the Daily Mail answers the urgent questions about the outbreak, including who is most at risk, whether you need to mask up and the warning signs that mean you should seek medical help immediately.

How do you catch meningitis - and how does it spread? 

Meningitis – inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord – can be caused by viruses or bacteria.

The most dangerous outbreaks are typically caused by the bacterial form, which is rarer but far more deadly.

Both types spread in broadly the same way: through direct contact with infected mucus or saliva. This means the bacteria or virus can pass between people through coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing drinks, cigarettes or utensils.

Importantly, someone can spread the bacteria without appearing ill, says Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor of cellular microbiology at the University of Reading.

'The bacteria that cause meningococcal meningitis are often carried harmlessly in the nose and throat; around 10 per cent of the general population carry them without ever becoming ill,' he explained.

'In adolescents and young adults, carriage can be higher, with large UK studies showing rates between 7 per cent and 18 per cent.

'Transmission requires close, prolonged contact such as coughing, sneezing or kissing, and even among carriers only a very small proportion ever develop invasive disease.'

While viral meningitis usually clears within seven to 10 days, bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency that can quickly become fatal if untreated.

Why are teenagers and university students more at risk?

Teenagers and young adults are at higher risk because they often live and socialise in close contact with each other, says Dr Zina Alfahl, bacteriology professor at the University of Glasgow's School of Medicine.

'University environments — halls of residence, parties, and large social networks — create conditions where the bacteria can spread more easily,' she said.

'People in this age group often carry the bacteria in the nose or throat without symptoms, and it spreads through close contact such as coughing, kissing, or sharing drinks.'

That is why vaccination programmes and rapid public-health responses often focus on students and young adults when clusters occur, she adds.

However, experts stress the disease rarely spreads through casual contact, such as sitting next to someone in a classroom or passing them in a shop.

Dr Alfahl said: 'For the general public in Kent or across the UK, the overall risk remains very low.

'The people at highest risk are usually close contacts of cases — people living together, close friends, or those sharing social spaces with prolonged contact.

'So while this is a serious cluster that requires urgent investigation and control measures, it does not mean there is a widespread risk to the whole population.'

How can I tell the difference between meningitis and a cold or flu?

Early symptoms of meningitis can be frustratingly vague, often resembling flu or other common illnesses.

The infection frequently begins with a sudden fever, chills, exhaustion, muscle aches and a general feeling of being unwell.

Children and teenagers may develop severe headaches, nausea, vomiting or sensitivity to light.

In babies, signs can be harder to spot. They may refuse feeds, become unusually irritable or lethargic, have a weak high-pitched cry or be difficult to wake.

As the infection worsens, more recognisable symptoms may appear. These include an intense headache, vomiting, a stiff neck and sensitivity to bright light.

People may also become drowsy or confused, struggle to concentrate or develop seizures.

Doctors stress symptoms do not always appear in the same order, and not everyone develops all of them.

But if warning signs appear, it is vital to seek medical help immediately, says Dr Clarke.

'With prompt medical care, outcomes are generally good and long-term complications are far less common than they once were,' he said.

Does the meningitis glass test really work? 

One of the classic warning signs of meningitis is a red or purple rash that does not fade when pressed.

Parents have long been advised to try the 'glass test' — pressing a clear glass against the rash to see if it disappears.

Most rashes fade under pressure. But meningitis rashes occur when blood leaks into the skin, meaning the spots remain visible.

However, experts warn the test should not be relied upon as an early warning sign.

Research suggests more than 40 per cent of mothers believe the glass test is the best way to identify meningitis.

But doctors say that by the time the rash appears, the infection may already have progressed to sepsis, a life-threatening condition.

Dr Jolanta Bernatoniene, a consultant paediatrician specialising in infectious diseases, warns waiting for a rash can be dangerous.

She said: 'Instead, be aware of the other symptoms, such as a worsening headache, spiking temperature, aversion to bright light, or, with babies, dislike of being held or cuddled.

'Not everyone will develop a rash – and if they do, it's often an indication the disease has got much worse, meaning the patient requires urgent treatment to survive.'

Will masks and hand-washing help prevent me from catching it? 

Vaccination remains the most effective protection against meningitis, experts say.

But because the bacteria spread through respiratory droplets, certain precautions may help reduce the risk of transmission.

Wearing a surgical mask can act as a barrier that reduces the spread of droplets from the mouth and nose.

Hospital staff in the emergency department at Kent and Canterbury Hospital are reportedly being advised to wear masks in light of the outbreak.

However, experts stress that masks are not a complete solution, as meningococcal bacteria does not spread as easily as common respiratory viruses.

Frequent handwashing and avoiding sharing items such as drinks, cups or utensils can also help reduce risk.

Who needs preventative antibiotics, and how can I get them?

Another preventative measure is antibiotics, which can kill bacteria in the nose and throat of people who have been in close contact with meningitis patients.

These drugs are typically taken either as a twice-daily pill or a single-dose tablet, and are most effective when given quickly — ideally within 24 hours of identifying a case.

Preventative antibiotics are currently being offered to some students in Canterbury.

However, not everyone will be eligible, says Professor Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia.

'Close contact is defined as prolonged close contact with the case in a household type setting during the seven days before onset of illness,' he said.

'Antibiotics may also be offered to someone who had transient close contact with a case only if they have been directly exposed to large particle droplets or secretions from the respiratory tract of a case around the time of admission to hospital.'

In larger clusters, a wider group may be offered antibiotics or vaccination.

Professor Hunter added: 'When we see multiple linked cases of invasive disease, antibiotics are given to a wider circle of contacts.'

How do I know if I've already been vaccinated against meningitis? 

Whether you have received a meningitis vaccine depends on your age and vaccination history.

In the UK, infants are offered the MenB vaccine, while teenagers are routinely offered the MenACWY vaccine.

Both were introduced in 2015, meaning some older adults may never have received them.

Babies born after November 1999 will also have been offered the MenC vaccine, which has since been replaced by MenACWY.

While it is not yet known which strain caused the Kent outbreak, many current university students will not have received the MenB vaccine, as they were born before it was introduced.

'Uptake of the ACWY vaccine among adolescents is around 73 per cent, so there are a lot of unvaccinated students given the size of the student cohort,' said Dr Andrew Preston, Professor of Microbial Pathogenicity at the University of Bath.

If you are unsure about your vaccination status, you can check your GP records or the NHS app.

Should my child get a meningitis vaccine now if they missed the jab at school? 

Children and young adults who missed their original meningitis vaccinations may still be eligible for a catch-up jab.

People aged 25 and under who missed the MenACWY vaccine can request one from their GP.

Catch-up doses of the MenB vaccine can also be given up to the age of two.

Older children and adults who are not eligible through the NHS can still receive the vaccines privately.

The MenB vaccine is available through pharmacies such as Boots and Superdrug, as well as travel clinics, for around £100 per dose.

The MenACWY vaccine typically costs around £55.

University students under 25 are strongly advised to receive the MenACWY vaccine if they missed it, according to the NHS website.

Two tragedies that show how meningitis can strike without warning 

Two recent tragedies highlight just how quickly meningitis can strike – even when the early symptoms appear mild or easily mistaken for something else.

In the United States, 14-year-old William Hand from South Carolina died just days after falling ill with meningococcal disease, a fast-moving bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and blood poisoning. 

The sporty teenager had woken in the early hours feeling unwell, but within hours the bacteria had overwhelmed his immune system. 

His father later shared a tribute alongside a photo of the teen in sports gear, writing: 'This is how I will always choose to remember Will. Flowing hair, big smile and in sports attire.'

In the UK, five-year-old Jude Platts from Liverpool died just 24 hours after being diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis after his family initially believed he had a stomach bug. 

The young boy began vomiting early one morning but had no fever or other obvious warning signs. 

Later that evening he suffered a seizure and was rushed to hospital, where scans revealed a severe infection affecting his brain. 

Doctors placed him in a medically induced coma, but the infection progressed so rapidly that he died surrounded by his family on New Year's Eve.